SEC. 5.1  [GENERALLY.]
   The board of commissioners shall appoint a town manager who shall be the administrative head of the town government responsible for the supervision and administration of all departments. The town manager shall be appointed with regard to merit only, and he need not be a resident of the town at the time of his appointment. He shall hold office during the pleasure of the board of commissioners and shall receive such compensation as it shall fix by ordinance.
   The town manager shall be the administrative head of the town government and see that within the town the laws of the state and the ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the board of commissioners are faithfully executed. He shall attend all meetings of the board of commissioners and recommend for adoption such measures as he shall deem expedient. He shall make reports to the board of commissioners from time to time upon the affairs of the town and keep the board fully advised of the town's financial condition and its future financial needs. He shall be responsible for the appointment and removal of all employees of the town, including heads of departments and superintendents, but not including the town attorney. All appointments and removals made by the town manager shall be reported to the board of commissioners at its next regular meeting.
   It shall be the duty of all officers and employees of the town to perform such duties as may be required of them by the town manager under General Regulations of the board of commissioners.
   The town manager shall have the powers and duties set forth in this section of the charter, those specified in G.S. 160A-148, and such other as may necessarily be implied for him to efficiently perform and carry out the duties of his office.