(a) Subject to the provisions of this charter, all employees other than elected officials and appointees of the Selectboard shall be appointed, suspended, or removed by the Town Manager without interference by the Selectboard. The Town and its employees shall comply with Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act and shall not discriminate in their employment practices on account of political opinions or affiliations. Appointments, layoffs, promotions, and discipline, including suspensions, demotions, and removals, shall be determined on the basis of training, experience, fitness, and performance of the individual and be undertaken to ensure that the responsible administrative officer will secure efficient and competent service.

(b) Employees of the Town whose terms and conditions of employment are not governed by the provisions of a collectively bargained labor agreement shall be hired, disciplined, suspended, demoted, removed, or laid off in accordance with the personnel rules and policies adopted by the Selectboard.

(c) The Town Manager may remove a department head from his or her position, provided notification that the Town Manager intends to remove a department head is given in advance to the Selectboard. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 9, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)