Article 06: Personnel Policies

Sec. 6.1.        Appointments.

Appointments and promotions to all positions in the service of the town, other than those covered by an employee representative contract, shall be made solely on the basis of merit and only after consideration of the applicant's ability in accordance with procedures set forth in the Personnel Plan.

Sec. 6.2.           Personnel Plan.

There shall be a set of rules and regulations providing for the establishment of a system of personnel administration, known as the "Personnel Plan." The plan shall include provisions with regard to classification, compensation, selection, training, promotion, grievances, discipline, vacations, retirement and any other matters necessary to the maintenance of efficient service and proper working conditions. The Personnel Plan shall continue in force, subject to amendments submitted from time to time by the Administrator, which shall become effective one (1) month after the submission, unless vetoed by the Council within that period. Unless otherwise specified, the Personnel Plan shall not apply to any elected officials, board and commission members and other officers appointed by the Council. Each employee shall be provided with a written job description prepared by the Administrator and subject to Council review. (Sec. 6.2 amended by Article 9 on the March 10, 2020 Town Election ballot)

Sec. 6.3.        Compensation.

A.  The compensation of all elected and appointed officials and department heads shall be established and modified by express resolution of the Council.

B.  The rate of compensation of Council members may be changed by an ordinance approved by a majority of the Council. However, the compensation paid any member of the Council may not be increased during his current term of office. No vote on this matter may be taken within ninety (90) days of the town election.

C.  The compensation of all town employees not fixed by other provisions of this Charter or collective bargaining shall be fixed in the Personnel Plan by a schedule of pay which shall include a minimum and maximum and such intermediate rates as may be deemed desirable for each class of position provided for in said plan.

D.  In adopting the town budget, the Council shall not increase or decrease any individual compensation item but shall act solely with respect to total salaries in the various departments of the town.

Sec. 6.4.        Certification of payroll.

No compensation shall be paid without certification by the Administrator, or such others as he may direct, that the recipients are employed by the town and that their rates of compensation comply with approved pay schedules.