(A) Authority vested in and duties imposed upon town officers by state law, the Charter, this Code or other ordinances and resolutions of the Council may, when they so authorize, be exercised or performed by their deputies, assistants and other subordinates, to the extent not prohibited by state law, the Charter, this Code or other ordinance or resolution of the Council.
(B) When any officer or employee is absent or disabled, or when any office or position in the town government is vacant, the person designated by competent authority to act in the place of such absent or disabled officer or employee or to hold temporarily the vacant office or position shall have the powers and perform the duties of such absent or disabled officer or employee or appertaining to such vacant office or position.
('73 Code, § 2-1)