Article 3 - Mayor

ARTICLE III.

MAYOR

3-1. Election and term.

There shall be a mayor who shall be elected at the general election in each even year for a term of two (2) years, and until his successor is elected and qualified.

3-2. Chief executive and administrative officer.

The mayor shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the city and shall be responsible for the administration and management of all offices, departments, and agencies except as otherwise provided by this Charter.

3-3. Powers and duties.

It shall be the duty of the mayor and he shall be required to:

(1) Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the service, remove all officers and employees of the city except as otherwise provided by this Charter and except as he may authorize the head of a department or office to appoint and remove subordinates in such department or office;

(2) Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the council and be responsible for its administration after adoption;

(3) Submit to the city council within ninety (90) days after the close of the fiscal year, a projected financial statement and within six (6) months of the close of the fiscal year, an audited complete financial statement on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year;

(4) Keep the council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city and make such recommendations as may seem to him desirable;

(5) Perform such other duties as may be required of him by ordinance or resolution of the council not inconsistent with this Charter;

(6) In the event of a disaster, catastrophe or other similar event the mayor shall have the power and authority to declare a municipal emergency and to take whatever action he deems necessary to protect the health, safety and security of the city and its inhabitants.
(Ref. of 11-3-98)

3-4. Temporary absence.

In the event of the temporary absence or disability of the mayor, the resident [president] of the council shall act as mayor, for the time being until the mayor shall return to his duties or until his disability shall cease.

3-5. Vacancy.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor more than one hundred eighty (180) days before the time of holding the next succeeding regular city election the canvassing authority shall forthwith call a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy for the remainder of the term. If any such vacancy occurs one hundred and eighty (180) days or less, before the time of holding the next succeeding general election, the council may in its discretion direct the canvassing authority to call a special election for said purpose. The council president shall serve as acting mayor until the mayor is duly elected.

3-6. Salary.

The mayor shall receive an annual salary of $10,000 or such other salary as may be prescribed by ordinance which salary shall not be increased or diminished during the term of office for which he was elected.
Cross References: For current salary of mayor, see § 64-1 of the Code of Ordinances.

3-7. Veto of ordinances.

Every ordinance passed by the council shall be submitted to the mayor who, within ten (10) consecutive days, either shall approve the ordinance by affixing his signature or shall return the ordinance to the council by transmitting it to the city clerk with a statement of his disapproval setting forth his objections.

3-8. Passage of ordinances over veto.

No ordinance shall take effect without the approval of the mayor unless (1) the mayor shall fail to sign the ordinance or to return it to the council within ten (10) consecutive days after its passage; or (2) the council upon immediate reconsideration shall approve the ordinance by the affirmative votes of at least six (6) of its members notwithstanding the disapproval of the mayor.

3-9. Item veto.

The mayor may disapprove any changes made by the city council in a budget or appropriation ordinance other than school appropriations in the manner provided for disapproval in section 5-6. A separate disapproval shall be necessary for each category of changes voted upon by the council as set forth in section 5-5.
(Ref. of 11-3-98)

3-10. Privileges.

The mayor shall have the right to take part in the discussion coming before the council, school committee, and municipal governing boards, and the department heads and other officers may be invited to take part in all discussions of the council relating to their respective offices, departments or agencies.