§ 12-38. Selection, appointment, dismissal and reassignment.

(a)

The town manager shall be responsible for selecting, appointing, dismissing and reassigning the fire chief. The membership of the fire department will have an election bi-annually for the purpose of recommending to the town manager that one of its members be appointed or reappointed fire chief.

(b)

An election for the purpose of a recommendation can be called by either a majority vote of the fire department membership (total members) or the town manager. Once a vote is called for by either the membership or town manager, it must take place within 35 calendar days. To allow for a regular rotation, relief, or replacement for the position of fire chief, if necessary, the fire chief may be appointed, dismissed or reassigned in another capacity within the fire department at any time during the year so long as the membership of the fire department has the opportunity to make a recommendation to the town manager through a vote of the membership within the 35 days of a called election. Election results from the fire department serve as a recommendation, though the town manager is not bound to make a decision in accordance with the election results.

(Code 1990, § 6-29; Ord. No. 94-005, § 1, 12-14-1994; Ord. of 7-18-2013(1); Ord. of 8-12-2015(1))