There shall be established a system of government administration specifically designed to reduce duplication of services and efficiently foster the delivery of services to the Town. The benefits of such system shall be conferred upon the general government and, where permitted or by mutual agreement, upon the Department of Education.
A. The Department of Finance524. The Department shall be responsible for the keeping of accounts and financial records, the assessment and collection of taxes, special assessments and other revenues, the custody and disbursement of Town funds and money, the control over expenditures and such other powers and duties as may be required by the General Statutes, this Charter, Ordinance or Order or Motion of the Council
525.
(1) The Director of Finance. The Department Head shall be the Director of Finance who shall, under this Charter and Ordinances, be subject to the direction of the Mayor in all matters concerning the financial affairs of the Town
526. The director shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the Department and have direct supervision of the members of the Department
527. The Director of Finance shall have a fiduciary responsibility to the Town and shall, at all times, be required to accurately report information to the Mayor and the Legislative Council
528.
(a) Appointment529. The Mayor shall appoint the Director of Finance as set forth in § 8-2.A of this Charter. The Director of Finance shall serve a term coterminous with that of the appointing Mayor, subject to the provisions of §§ 3-10.A (2) and 8-2.B of this Charter and until a successor shall be appointed and shall have qualified.
(b) Qualifications. Said Director of Finance shall be qualified by education, training and experience in public administration and public finance, including, but not limited to budget, purchasing and personnel practices as well as additional qualifications as may be established by Ordinance
530. Said qualifications shall be in accord with nationally accepted professional standards and best practices in the applicable field as developed pursuant to § 8-2.F of this Charter
531.
(c) Appointment and Removal of Employees532. Except as provided in this chapter, the Director of Finance shall appoint and may remove, subject to the provisions of the Merit System, all other employees of this Department. Additionally, the Director of Finance shall have all the duties and powers prescribed by Law to town treasurers and shall be responsible for town deposits.
(d) Additional Duties and Responsibilities. The Director of Finance shall:
(i) Keep accounts showing the financial transactions for all Departments and agencies of the Town533.
(ii) Prescribe the forms of such accounts, with the approval of the Mayor534.
(iii) Prepare financial reports for each quarter and for each fiscal year and such other periods as may be required by the Mayor535.
(iv) Prepare monthly reports to the Legislative Council and Finance Commission on transfers as made pursuant to § 10-9.D. of this Charter.
B. The Tax Collector.
(1) Appointment537. The Mayor shall appoint the Tax Collector as set forth in § 8-2.A of this Charter utilizing the recruitment provisions of the Merit System; however, the Tax Collector may be removed from office as set forth in §§ 3-10 and 8-2.B of this Charter or as may be required by law. The Tax Collector shall hold office until Completion of Service or until a successor shall be appointed and shall have qualified.
(2) Qualifications538. The Tax Collector539 shall be required to meet the requirements, qualifications and certifications as may be set forth in the General Statutes. Said qualifications shall be in accord with nationally accepted professional standards and best practices in the applicable field as developed pursuant to § 8-2.F of this Charter.
(3) Powers and Duties. The Tax Collector shall collect all taxes and assessments duly levied by the Town, as provided for in the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, this Charter and the Ordinances and such other duties as the Council may prescribe
540. In addition, the Tax Collector shall:
(a) be responsible to the Director of Finance, or such other official as may be designated by the Mayor, in the performance of duties541.
(b) report all tax collection information as prescribed by the Director of Finance in accordance with the policies of the Department of Finance542.
(c) pay to the accounts designated by the Director of Finance all monies collected in accordance with the policies of the Department of Finance543.
C. The Assessor544.
(1) Appointment545. The Mayor shall appoint the Assessor as set forth in § 8-2.A of this Charter, utilizing the recruitment provisions of the Merit System; however, the Assessor may be removed from office as set forth in §§ 3-10 and 8-2.B of this Charter or as may be required by law. The Assessor shall hold office until Completion of Service or until a successor shall be appointed and shall have qualified.
(2) Qualifications546. The Assessor547 shall be required to meet the requirements, qualifications and certifications as may be set forth in the General Statutes. Said qualifications shall be in accord with nationally accepted professional standards and best practices in the applicable field as developed pursuant to § 8-2.F of this Charter.
(3) Powers and Duties548. The Assessor shall have the powers and shall perform all duties prescribed for assessors in the General Statutes, together with such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by this Charter, the Ordinances and such other duties as the Council may prescribe549. In addition, the Assessor shall be responsible to the Director of Finance, or such other official as may be designated by the Mayor, in the performance of duties550.
D. The Purchasing Agent551.
(1) Appointment552. The Mayor shall appoint the Purchasing Agent as set forth in § 8-2.A of this Charter, utilizing the recruitment provisions of the Merit System; however, the Purchasing Agent may be removed from office as set forth in §§ 3-10 and 8-2.B of this Charter or as may be required by law. The Purchasing Agent shall hold office until Completion of Service or until a successor shall be appointed and shall have qualified.
(2) Qualifications553. The Purchasing Agent shall be required to meet the requirements, qualifications and certifications required by the Town in accordance with nationally accepted professional standards and best practices in the applicable field as developed pursuant to § 8-2.F of this Charter.
(3) Powers and Duties554. The Purchasing Agent shall be responsible for managing the centralized purchasing system for the Town and shall contract for and purchase all services, supplies, equipment, materials and other commodities required by all Departments, offices, Boards, Commissions and other agencies of the Town, including, where practicable, the Board of Education
555, in a manner consistent with this Charter and the Ordinances. The Purchasing Agent shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the system. In addition, the Purchasing Agent shall:
(a) In the performance of duties be responsible to the Director of Finance, or such other official as may be designated by the Mayor556.
(b) With respect to said Board of Education, be required to take advantage of incentives, cooperative agreements and consortiums generally available to boards of education in order to expedite the acquisition of goods and services for said Board to meet the curriculum and scheduling requirements of the Board, upon reasonable notice by the Board. The rules governing purchasing and procurement, including a definition of "reasonable notice", shall be set forth by Ordinance. The Purchasing Agent shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the system557.
(c) Facilitate, where in the best interest of the Town, participation in any joint purchasing program administered by the State of Connecticut, any Regional Council of Governments, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education or any other public agency, including another municipality or municipalities, or other nonprofit organization the members of which are public bodies558.
(4) Centralized Purchasing System559. There shall be a centralized purchasing system for the Town (including, where practicable, the Board of Education) covering the purchase of all services, supplies, materials, equipment and other commodities required. In order to advance the provisions of this Charter, the Legislative Council shall, upon recommendation of the Purchasing Agent, establish by Ordinance the rules and regulations
560 governing the operation of said central purchasing system in a manner consistent with the General Statutes, this Charter, Ordinance and standards established by organizations such as the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the National Association of State Purchasing Officials as well as the Model Procurement Code and Ordinances prepared by the American Bar Association. The rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, provisions governing:
(a) Additional roles and responsibilities of the Purchasing Agent;
(b) Competitive procurement561 and solicitation requirements562, including local business preference563;
(c) Specifications564; requisition standards565; and, inspection and testing methodologies566, following consultation with the Mayor, Director of Finance and appropriate Town Officials; and,
(d) Storage567; recycled and recyclable products568; transfer or sale of surplus property and appropriate reporting standards569; and, inventory control570.
The Purchasing Agent shall review such Ordinance, every two years, and make recommendations pertaining to the purchase of all services, supplies, materials, equipment and other commodities required as well as the factors, including, but not limited to, cost, competition and processes, that assure compliance with the provisions of this Charter.
(5) Repealer571. Any provisions referring to purchasing inconsistent with the terms of this section referred to elsewhere in this Charter are hereby expressly repealed.
E. Human Resources572.
(1) Equal Employment Opportunity573. It shall be the policy of the Town to afford equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and to all Public Officials574 and employees of the Town with respect to initial employment, advancement and general working conditions, without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or civil union status, ancestry, national origin, physical disability or any other persons as may be defined or otherwise protected by the General Statutes. Public Notice shall be given for all openings in Town positions, including Mayoral appointments, prior to the filling of such positions. For these purposes Public Notice shall be posted, prior to the date that final applications may be due, as determined by the Director of Human Resources or as otherwise required by Law (See, § 1-4.R).
(2) The Merit System and Personnel and Human Resources Policy of the Town575. It shall be the policy of the Town to establish and maintain, by Ordinance and regulation, consistent with the policies of this Charter, a Merit System and civil service rules and regulations that will assure recruitment of the best available persons to appointment to Vacant positions in the Classified Services of the Town on the basis of merit and in conformity with recognized principles of public personnel administration. Moreover, the Director of Human Resources shall endeavor to train and evaluate employees and bargain fairly with the collective bargaining representatives of employees.
(3) Director of Human Resources576.
(a) Appointment577. The Mayor shall appoint the Director of Human Resources as set forth in § 8-2.A of this Charter. The Director of Human Resources shall serve a term coterminous with that of the appointing Mayor, subject to the provisions of §§ 3-10.A (2) and 8-2.B of this Charter and until a successor shall be appointed and shall have qualified.
(b) Qualifications578. The Director of Human Resources shall be required to meet the requirements, qualifications and certifications required by the Town in accord with nationally accepted professional standards and best practices in the applicable field as developed pursuant to § 8-2.F of this Charter.
(c) Powers and Duties579. The Director of Human Resources shall be the primary advisor to the Mayor and Legislative Council regarding the personnel and human resources policies of the Town and the administrator of the Personnel, Human Resources and Merit System, including the civil service rules and regulations, as promulgated by the Civil Service Commission in accord with the authority set forth in § 7-2.B of this Charter. In the event the Director is appointed the chief examiner, as required by the General Statutes, said Director shall serve as Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Commission
580. The Director shall be responsible for using best practices in the field pertaining to the following:
(i) Administration of up-to-date civil service lists and the competitive examinations necessary for the hiring and promotion of Town personnel (including, the Board of Education, where practicable);
(ii) Planning and implementing a system to achieve productivity improvements through training and technology;
(iii) Ensuring that job descriptions are current and reflect the skills and tasks necessary to conduct the business of the Town;
(iv) Undertaking the cost effective selection and administration of benefits for Town employees;
(v) Assisting the Civil Service Commission in its deliberations and investigations;
(vi) Establishing and maintaining timely and up-to-date eligibility lists for the various classes and positions of employees and notifying the Department Heads (including the Superintendent of Schools) of the expiration of said lists no less than six (6) months prior to said expiration and certifying eligible employees to the appropriate Departments in accordance with selection standards;
(vii) Maintaining all necessary performance records and ratings and all other records necessary for the administration of the Commission and the Department;
(viii) Making an annual report to the Civil Service Commission, the Legislative Council and the Mayor; and
(ix) Such other duties as set forth by Ordinance or by the Civil Service Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and Ordinances.
523 Charter Revision of 2011.
524 1983 Charter Chapter XV, § 15-1.
525 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-1 (first sentence).
526 Consistent with 1983 Charter § 15-2 (first sentence).
527 Final clause is a 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-2.
528 Charter Revision of 2011.
529 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-2 (first sentence); in lieu of the following: "...shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Council and may be removed by the Mayor".
530 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-2 (second sentence).
531 Charter Revision of 2011.
532 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-2 (third sentence); by replacing the following: "...serve as agent of the Town deposit fund".
533 1983 Charter § 15-1 (second sentence).
534 1983 Charter § 15-1 (third sentence).
535 1983 Charter § 15-1 (fourth sentence).
536 Charter Revision of 2011.
537 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-3 (first sentence); in lieu of the following: "...shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Council and may be removed by the Mayor".
538 Charter Revision of 2011.
539 See, C.G.S. 12-130a entitled "Training, examination and certification of municipal tax collectors".
540 Consistent with 1983 Charter § 15-3 (third and fourth sentences).
541 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-3 (fifth sentence).
542 Charter Revision of 2011.
543 Charter Revision of 2011.
544 1983 Charter § 15-3.
545 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-3 (second sentence).
546 Charter Revision of 2011.
547 See, C.G.S. 12-40a entitled "Committee for training, examination and certification of assessment personnel. Fees. Certification by Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management".
548 Charter Revision of 2011.
549 Consistent with 1983 Charter § 15-3 (fourth sentence).
550 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-3 (third and fifth sentences).
551 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4.
552 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4 (first sentence) by deleting the following: "...The Director of Finance shall act as or appoint, subject to the approval of the Mayor and the Council, and may remove."
553 Charter Revision of 2011.
554 Consistent with 1983 Charter § 15-4 (second sentence).
555 Charter Revision of 2011.
556 Consistent with 1983 Charter § 15-4 (first sentence).
557 Charter Revision of 2011.
558 Charter Revision of 2011.
559 Charter Revision of 2011.
560 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4j; in lieu of the following language: "...to prepare subject to the approval of the Council such rules and regulations regarding competitive solicitation as may be necessary." NOTE: There is no § 15-4h.
561 See, C.G.S. 7-148v entitled "Requirements for competitive bidding". See also, C.G.S. 7-148w entitled "Disqualification of contractors from bidding on municipal contracts".
562 2011 modification of 1983 Charter section 15-4 j; in lieu of the following language: "...to prepare subject to the approval of the Council such rules and regulations regarding competitive solicitation as may be necessary".
563 Charter Revision of 2011.
564 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4a; in lieu of the following language: "...to establish and enforce, with the approval of the Mayor and after consultation with the heads of all departments, standard specifications for all supplies, materials and equipment required by the several departments, offices, and agencies of the Town".
565 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4 b; in lieu of the following language: "...to establish to prescribe the time of making requisitions for such supplies, materials and equipment".
566 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4 c; in lieu of the following language: "...to establish a system for inspection of all deliveries of such supplies, materials and equipment, and to cause tests to be made when necessary in order to determine their quality, quantity and conformance with specifications".
567 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4 d; in lieu of the following language: "...to supervise and control such central store rooms as the Council may provide by ordinance to serve the several departments, offices and agencies and to use the facilities of the Board of Education, upon approval of said board".
568 Charter Revision of 2011.
569 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4 e and f; in lieu of the following language: "...e) to transfer, with the approval of the Mayor, to or between departments, offices, and agencies, or sell supplies, materials and equipment considered to be surplus, obsolete or unused, after consultation with the head of the department, office or agency concerned; f) to give to the Mayor and Legislative Council, an accounting at the time of the sale, donation, or other disposition of any unused equipment, stating to whom it was sold, the original cost, the date of purchase, and the monies obtained as a result of such disposition".
570 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 15-4g; in lieu of the following language: "...to maintain an inventory of all movable equipment belonging to the Town".
571 Charter Revision of 2011.
572 1983 Charter Chapter XVII.
573 1983 Charter § 17-1 entitled "General Provisions".
574 "Public Officials" replaces "officers".
575 1983 Charter § 17-1 entitled "General Provisions".
576 Charter Revision of 2011.
577 Charter Revision of 2011.
578 Charter Revision of 2011.
579 Charter Revision of 2011.
580 1983 Charter § 17-4 (third sentence). Note: The only mention of the Personnel Director in the 1983 Charter.