Section 54. Borrowing.

   (a)   The town may borrow money for any public purpose, including refinancing of any indebtedness of the town outstanding from time to time, and may evidence such borrowing by the issue and sale of its general obligation bonds or bond anticipation notes. Such bonds or notes may be issued and sold in the manner prescribed in Sections 31 to 37, inclusive of Article 23A of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition, as amended and replaced), Title "Corporations – Municipal," Subtitle "Home Rule," Subheading "Creation of municipal public debt"; provided that, if any ordinance authorizing the issue and sale of any of such bonds or notes so specifies, the bonds or notes may be sold at private sale, without advertisement or publication of notice of sale, or solicitation of competitive bids.

   (b)   The authority and powers contained in this section shall be supplementary to existing law and may be exercised in whole or in part by the town notwithstanding any other provision or limitation of law.

Section 55. Issuance of revenue bonds.

   The town may provide by ordinance for the issuance and sale of revenue bonds for the purpose of financing any part or all of the cost of construction, reconstruction, acquisition, improvement, extension, alteration, modernization, planning, maintenance, and repair of any municipally owned property, facility or project. Such bonds are to be payable as to both principal and interest solely from the revenues of any portion or all of such property, facilities or projects as are financed by such revenue bonds. Such bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness to which the town's faith and credit or taxing power are pledged and all such bonds shall contain on their faces a statement to that effect.

Section 56. Previous issues.

   All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued by the town previous to the effective date of this charter and all ordinances passed concerning them are hereby declared to be valid, legal, and binding, and of full force and effect as if herein fully set forth.

Section 57. Purchasing and contracts.

   All purchases and contracts for the town government shall be made by the officer so designated by the Council. The Council may provide by ordinance for rules and regulations regarding the use of competitive bidding and contracts for all town purchases and contracts. All expenditures for supplies, materials, equipment, construction of public improvements, or contractual service involving more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) will be made on written contract. The designated officer shall be required to advertise for sealed bids, in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance, for all such written contracts. Such written contracts shall be awarded to the bidder who offers the lowest or best bid, quality of goods and work, time of delivery or completion, and responsibility of bidders being considered. All such written contracts shall be approved by the Council before becoming effective. The Mayor and Council shall have the right to reject all bids and readvertise. The town at any time, in its discretion, may employ its own forces for the construction or reconstruction of public improvements, without advertising (or re-advertising for) or receiving bids. All written contracts may be protected by such bonds, penalties, and conditions as the town may require.

(Res. No. 1-01, 3-27-01; Ord. No. 08-2024, 9-3-2024) (See Note (3))

Personnel

Section 58. Authority to Employ Town Personnel.

   The town will have the power to employ such officers and employees as it deems necessary to execute the powers and duties provided by this charter or other State law and to operate the town government. The town will provide by ordinance for appointments and promotions in employment on the basis of merit and fitness.

Section 59. Town Manager.

   (a)   The Mayor, with the formal approval of the Council shall appoint an officer of the town who shall have the title of Town Manager. The Town Manager shall be chosen on the basis of having executive and administrative qualifications suitable for the position.

   (b)   The Town Manager shall be the chief financial officer of the town.

   (c)   The Town Manager shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the town and the enforcement of ordinances, under the direct supervision of the Mayor. He shall perform whatever other duties are specified by the Council.

   (d)   The Council may remove one or more departments from the powers and duties of the Town Manager and require the department head to report directly to the Mayor and Council. Such responsibility may be conferred upon the department head as determined by the Mayor and Council.

   (e)   Town Council members shall deal with the administrative services solely through the Town Manager, and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate employee, either publicly or privately.

   (f)   The Town Manager may be removed by a majority vote of the Mayor and Council, but in no case is a vote on removal to be made unless fifteen (15) days prior notice is given in writing to all members of the Council.

   (g)   Should the office of Town Manager become vacant, the Mayor shall temporarily assume or delegate his powers and duties.

Section 60. Town Attorney.

   The Mayor and Council may appoint a Town Attorney. The Town Attorney shall be a member of the bar of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The Town Attorney shall be the legal advisor of the town and shall perform such duties in this connection as may be required by the Council or the Mayor. His compensation shall be as determined by the Council. The town shall have the power to employ such legal consultants as it deems necessary from time to time.

Public Ways and Sidewalks