The board of commissioners shall appoint a town manager to serve at its pleasure. The manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications. The manager shall have the powers and duties set out in North Carolina General Statutes section 160-148. The Town Administrator as of the date of passage of this ordinance shall become Town Manager upon such passage. The salary and benefits for the manager shall be fixed by the Board of Commissioners. In case of the absence or disability of the manager, the Board of Commissioners may designate a qualified administrative officer of the Town to perform the duties of the manager during such absence or disability. (Amended December 15, 1992)