The town administrator shall be chosen by the council solely on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office as hereinafter set forth. At the time of his or her appointment, the administrator need not be a resident of the town or state, but during his or her tenure of office he or she shall reside within the town. (Amended, November 4, 2008.)