CHAPTER VI. OFFICES, DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES
Section 6-1 TREASURER.
The Treasurer of the City shall have all the powers and duties imposed by law on town, city or municipal treasurers and shall be the agent and treasurer of the capital improvement fund. The Treasurer shall have custody of and shall disburse all funds of the City and shall deposit the same in such banks or other depositories as the Common Council shall prescribe.
No disbursement shall be made from any funds of the City except by check signed by the Treasurer and each such check shall be based upon a voucher or payroll duly audited and approved by the Director of Finance. Before signing any such check, the Treasurer shall be satisfied that such check represents the proper payment of a duly authorized obligation of the City. The Common Council, by ordinance, shall designate a municipal officer or employee who may sign the checks in the event of the inability to act orthe absence of the Treasurer.
Section 6-2 ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS.
There shall be the following offices and administrative departments: A Corporation Counsel, a Department of Civil Preparedness, a Department of Finance, a Department of Public Works, a Department of Planning and Zoning, a Police Department, a Fire Department, a Health Department, a Welfare Department, a Department of Parks and Recreation, a Department of Elderly Services, a Personnel Department and such other administrative departments as may, from time to time, be created by the Common Council. Such departments shall, except as otherwise provided in this Charter, have the powers and duties prescribed by law and by ordinance or resolution of said Council.
Section 6-3 APPOINTMENTS OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF CITY.
When not otherwise provided, all heads and all officers of the foregoing departments including departments created by the Common Council and all police and fire officers shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. All other employees of the City, except those appointed by the Common Council pursuant to Section 3-3 of this Charter, shall be appointed by the Mayor. All City officers and employees when not otherwise specified in the Charter may be subject to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the merit system as the same may be in effect in the City.
Section 6-4 CORPORATION COUNSEL.
The Mayor shall appoint and may remove a Corporation Counsel; provided, however, that the appointment may be disapproved by a vote of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the entire membership of the Common Council at a meeting held not latter [later] than fourteen (14) days following delivery of notice of the appointment to the City Clerk and President of the Common Council. The Corporation Counsel shall not be subject to the merit system. The Corporation Counsel shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice law in this state or a law firm doing business in this state. The Corporation Counsel shall appear for and protect the rights of the City in all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against it or any of its departments, officers, agencies, boards or commissions; shall be the legal advisor of the Common Council, the Mayor, and all City officers, boards and commissions in all matters affecting the City[;] and shall, upon written request, furnish them with a written opinion on any question of law involving theirrespective powers and duties. Upon request, the Corporation Counsel shall prepare or approve forms of contracts or other instruments to which the City is a party or in which it has an interest. The Corporation Counsel shall have the power, with approval of the Council, to appeal from orders or decisions and judgments and, subject to approval of the Council, to compromise or settle any claims by or against the City. If, in special circumstances or for any investigation under Chapter III, Section 3-14 of thisCharter, the Council deems it advisable, it, by resolution, may provide, in addition, for the temporary employment of Counsel other than Corporation Counsel. There shall be an Assistant Corporation Counsel who shall devote full time to the office and shall not engage in private practice. Such Assistant shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. The Mayor shall appoint such other Assistant Corporation Counsel as the Common Council shall prescribe from time to time. Assistant Corporation Counsels shall be attorneys at law admitted to practice law in this state. No other Counsel shall be employed by any branch of the municipality.
Section 6-5 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL PREPAREDNESS.
The Mayor shall appoint and may remove, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 28-7 of the General Statutes, as amended, a Chief Coordinator of Emergency Operations, who shall also be the local director of Civil Defense. The Chief Coordinator shall have those powers and duties provided in said Section 28-7 and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Common Council.
Section 6-6 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
The Department of Finance shall be responsible for the keeping of accounts and financial records[;] the assessment and collection of taxes, special assessments and other revenues[;] the audit and control over expenditures and such other powers and duties as the Common Council may prescribe. Accounts shall be kept by the Department of Finance showing the financial transactions for all departments and agencies of the City. Forms for such accounts shall be prescribed by the Director of Finance with the approval of the Mayor. Financial reports shall be prepared for each quarter and for each fiscal year and for such other periods as may be required by the Mayor or the Common Council. The Department of Finance shall consist of a Director of Finance, a Tax Collector, an Assessor, a Purchasing Agent, a Data Processing Manager, and a Risk Manager.
A. The Director of Finance: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint a Director of Finance; provided, however, that the appointment may be disapproved by a vote of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the entire membership of the Common Council at a meeting held not later than fourteen (14) days following delivery of the notice of the appointment to the City Clerk and President of the Common Council. The Director shall be subject to the merit system. The Director shall be responsible for the administration of the financial affairs of the City. The Director shall have direct supervision over the Department of Finance and shall supervise the accounting functions of the City and shall maintain and supervise the general accounting system for all departments, offices, boards, commissions and agencies. Subject to the approval of the Mayor, the Director of Finance may perform the duties of any office in the department. The Director of Finance shall be chosen on the basis of training and broad experience in accounting and finance, including at least five years of such experience and shall have a degree in accounting, finance or other similar specialty.
B. The Tax Collector and Assessor. The Tax Collector and Assessor shall have all powers and duties imposed by law on such officers; and they shall have such other powers and duties as the Council may prescribe.
C. The Purchasing Agent. The Purchasing Agent of the City shall purchase all supplies, materials, equipment and other commodities required by any department, agency, board or commission of the City on requisition and specification signed by the head of the department, office or agency or chairman of the board or commission or the designee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the City Purchasing Agent from serving as the Purchasing Agent for the Board of Education and, in the event that the General Statutes are amended to permit municipalities to do the purchasing for Boards of Education, the City Purchasing Agent shall be the purchasing agent for the Board of Education. Purchases shall be made under such rules and regulations as may be established by the Common Council and shall be subject to such bidding procedures, as established by ordinance.
The effective date shall become the date that such an ordinance is enacted.
D. Data Processing Manager. The Data Processing Manager shall be responsible for the management, design, operation and programming of the Data Processing System of the City and all of its departments, boards, agencies and commissions.
E. Risk Manager. The Risk Manager shall be responsible for the identification, analysis, and evaluation of risks or hazards which can adversely effect the ability of the City to perform its services and shall determine methods to minimize such risks or hazards.
Section 6-7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Department of Public Works shall have supervision and control of the maintenance of all city-owned or leased structures, and of the planning, surveying, constructing and reconstructing, altering, paving, repairing, maintaining, cleaning, lighting and inspecting of highways, sidewalks, and curbs, sewers, sewage disposal, drains, the municipal water system and other public improvements, and the preservation, care and removal of trees within highways or public places, all engineering work of the City and disposal of garbage and rubbish. The Department of Public Works shall maintain and care for school buildings and grounds. The Department shall also have the supervision of the maintenance and repair of all municipally owned or leased motor vehicles and similar equipment, except those vehicles under the control of the City Fire Department. The Department of Public Works shall consist of a Director of Public Works, a City Engineer, and Superintendents of Highways, Public Utilities, Public Buildings and Equipment Maintenance.
A. Director of Public Works: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint and may remove a Director of Public Works; provided, however, that the appointment may be disapproved by a vote of two-thirds ( 2/3) of all members of the Common Council at a meeting held not later than fourteen (14) days following delivery of the notice of the appointment to the City Clerk and president of the Common Council. The Director of Public Works shall not be subject to the merit system. The Director shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline, and good conduct of the department. Subject to the approval of the Mayor, the Director may perform the duties of any office in the Department and may consolidate two or more such offices under one person. The Superintendents and the City Engineer shall discharge their duties under the supervision of the Director of Public Works. The duties of the Director of Public Works shall be discharged under the supervision of the Mayor. The Director shall organize the work of the Department in such a manner as shall be deemed most economical and efficient by the Director, and may transfer employees and equipment between the respective divisions towards that end and shall assign to divisions such duties as are not hereafter specified and may provide for the sharing of responsibilities among the several divisions. The Director shall be chosen on the basis of significant technical training, demonstrated executive and administrative qualifications and experience in general construction.
B. The Superintendent of Highways. The Superintendent of Highways shall be responsible for the supervision of the construction, reconstructing, altering, paving, repairing, maintaining, cleaning, lighting and inspection of highways, sidewalks and curbs. The Superintendent shall be chosen on the basis of experience in highway construction and administrative ability. At least five (5) years' experience in highway construction shall be required. The Superintendent shall have the direction and control of a tree expert who shall be selected on the basis of training and experience in the care of trees and shrubs and shall have all the powers and duties of a tree warden as provided in the General Statutes.
C. The City Engineer. The City Engineer shall be responsible for all engineering projects of the City. The Engineer shall be a qualified professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut with at least five (5) years of experience in the design and construction of public works, highways and public utilities.
D. The Superintendent of Public Utilities. The Superintendent of Public Utilities shall be responsible for sewers, sewerage disposal, drains, the water system, and disposal of solid waste. The Superintendent shall be a qualified sanitary engineer licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut with at least five (5) years' experience in the field of maintenance and operation of public water supply or sewage disposal systems.
E. The Superintendent of Public Buildings. The Superintendent of Public Buildings shall be responsible for maintenance, construction and repair of municipal buildings. The Superintendent shall have at least five (5) years' experience in building construction and maintenance.
F. The Superintendent of Equipment Maintenance. The Superintendent of Equipment Maintenance shall be responsible for equipment maintenance. The Superintendent shall be chosen on the basis of training and experience, at least five (5) years, in the maintenance of motor vehicles and similar equipment.
Section 6-8 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING.
The Department of Planning and Zoning shall have the responsibility of assisting and advising the Mayor and the Planning and Zoning Commissions on City planning, the preparation and implementation of a plan of development and other plans and studies, and the enforcement of zoning, subdivision, and other land use regulations. It shall coordinate development and capital improvements programming activities of the City for the purpose of conserving desirable resources and promoting the orderly development of the City. The Department shall monitor State and Federal programs and funding resources for potential application to the City. The Department shall review and make recommendations on all proposals to (1) locate, accept, abandon, widen, narrow or extend any street, bridge, parking, or other public way, (2) locate, relocate, substantially improve, acquire land for, abandon, sell or lease any airport, park, playground, school or other municipally owned property or public building, (3) locate or extend any publichousing, development, redevelopment or renewal project, or (4) locate or extend public utilities and terminals for water, sewerage, light, power, transit and other purposes. The Department shall review all required applications for the development or subdivision of land, all requests for zoning permits, and all proposals for rezonings or other amendments to zoning and/or subdivision regulations of the City pursuant to applicable regulations. The Department shall perform such other duties as the Mayor may prescribe.
A. Planning Director. The Planning Director shall manage and supervise all activities and employees of the Department. The Planning Director shall possess a Masters degree in Planning or a related field and shall have a minimum of five years experience in city and/or regional planning, three years of which must have been in a supervisory position. The Planning Director shall be responsible to the Mayor.
Section 6-9 POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The Police Department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, regulation of traffic, protection of rights of persons and property and enforcement of the laws of the State, and ordinances of the city and all rules and regulations made in accordance therewith. All members of the department, except clerical and other personnel without law enforcement responsibilities, shall have the same powers and duties with respect to the service of criminal process and enforcement of criminal laws as are vested in police officers by the General Statutes, and all powers and duties imposed by law on constables except as otherwise provided by departmental rules and regulations.
A. The Chief of Police: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint, and may remove, subject to the provisions of Section 7-278 of the General Statutes, as amended, a Chief of Police who shall not be subject to the merit system. The Chief of Police shall assign all members of the department to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties. The Chief shall make rules and regulations concerning the operation of the department and the conduct of all officers and employees thereof and shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the department and for the care and custody of all property used by the department. Disobedience to lawful orders, rules and regulations of the Chief shall be grounds for dismissal or for other appropriate disciplinary action. The Chief shall be selected on the basis of training and administrative ability and shall have had at least ten (10) years' experience in an organized police department at least one-half of which shall have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Within six (6) months of appointment, the Chief of Police shall become a resident of the City and remain such while in office.
B. Special Police. In addition to the regular force provided for hereinabove, there shall be a Special Police Force consisting of such number of supernumeraries as may be determined, from time to time, by the Chief of Police, whose duty it shall be to act whenever their services are required by the Chief of Police. Members of the Special Police force shall be appointed and removed by the Mayor.
Section 6-10 FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department shall be responsible for the protection of life and property within the City from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire prevention and fire safety.
A. The Fire Chief: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint, and may remove subject to the provisions of Section 7-302 of the General Statutes, as amended, a Fire Chief who shall not be subject to the merit system. The Chief shall assign all members of the department to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties; shall make rules and regulations concerning the operation of the Department and the conduct of all officers and employees thereof; and shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the department and for the care and custody of all property used by the Department. Disobedience to the lawful orders, rules and regulations of the Chief shall be grounds for dismissal or for other appropriate disciplinary action. The Chief shall have had at least ten (10) years' experience in career fire service, at least one-half of which shall have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Within six (6) months of appointment, the Fire Chief shall become a resident of the City and remain such while in office. Among the officers of the Fire Department, there shall be a Fire Marshal who shall be answerable to the Fire Chief but whose office shall be a separate one and who shall be appointed and removed in accordance with and shall have the duties imposed by the General Statutes, as amended.
B. Volunteer Companies. Nothing in this Charter shall be construed to affect the organization, status or property of the active volunteer fire companies. Whenever paid and volunteer companies are acting together, they shall both be under the command of the ranking officer of the regular Fire Department present at the scene. Whenever fire companies are in training, responding to or working at the scene of a fire or other emergency, they shall be under the command of the ranking officer of the City Fire Department at the scene at the time or the officer in command of the Department at the time.
Section 6-11 HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The Health Department shall be responsible for the preservation and promotion of the public health and shall perform such functions and shall have such powers and duties as are imposed by law on Directors of Health and such other powers and duties as the Council may prescribe.
A. The Director of Health: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint, subject to the provisions of Chapter 335 of the General Statutes, as amended, a Director of Health who shall be administrative head of the Health Department. The Director shall organize the work of said Department in such manner as shall be deemed most economical and efficient; shall be charged with the enforcement of all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations in respect to the public health; and shall have the term, duties and qualifications prescribed in Chapter 335 of the General Statutes relating to Directors of Health and may be removed as provided therein.
Section 6-12 WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
The Welfare Department shall have all the powers and duties relating to the poor and dependent persons vested by law in the selectmen of towns.
A. The Director of Welfare: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint a Director of Welfare, who shall also be the Director of Public Assistance and shall be a person professionally trained or experienced in social work. The Director shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the Department; shall be in charge of the administration of all support and welfare activities of the City; shall have power to make all rules and regulations relating to the administration of all support and welfare activities of the City; shall havepower to make all rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Department not inconsistent with the General Statutes and ordinances of the City: and shall have such other powers and duties as the Council may prescribe.
Section 6-13 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
The Department of Parks and Recreation shall be responsible for the control, development, maintenance, operation and management of all public grounds, park buildings, parks, playfields and playgrounds provided by the City for parks or recreation, except those under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education, which may be used by the Department with the consent of the Board of Education.
A. The Director of Parks and Recreation: Powers, Duties and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint a Director of Parks and Recreation who shall be appointed on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications and shall have had experience in park or recreation administration. Said Director shall be charged with preparing regulations for the use of said parks and recreation facilities and the fees to be charged for such use and shall have such other powers and duties as the Council may prescribe.
Section 6-14 DEPARTMENT OF ELDERLY SERVICES.
The Department of Elderly Services shall be responsible for the consolidation and enhancement of the delivery of services to the elderly and for the coordination of municipal and non-municipal functions and services available to elderly residents of the City of Danbury. The Department of Elderly Services shall act as an advocate for the elderly and shall advise the Mayor and the Common Council on all matters concerning the welfare of the elderly in Danbury, including the need for additional programs or projects or the improvement of existing programs or projects designed to serve the elderly and concerning the appropriate level of funding to accomplish the same.
A. Executive Director of the Department of Elderly Services. The Mayor shall appoint and may remove an Executive Director of the Department of Elderly Services, who shall be responsible for the planning, development and supervision of a comprehensive program of activities and services which will promote the continuing development and social and emotional adjustment of older persons. The Executive Director shall possess the following minimum qualifications: an M.S. degree in Counseling or an M.S.W. or related Masters degree, and at least five years' experience in thefield of Elderly Services, including experience in working with related governmental agencies.
Section 6-15 PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.
The Personnel Department shall be responsible for the administration of the City's entire employee relations functions, including the development of personnel policy; the administration of job classification, salary, and benefit programs; the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and handling of grievances; and the administration of equal employment and affirmative action programs.
A. The Director of Personnel. The Mayor shall appoint and may remove the Director of Personnel. The Director of Personnel of the City shall establish procedures and policies for the Personnel Department and shall be responsible for the coordination and administration of the entire range of employee relations functions for City departments and agencies and acts as a liaison between the City administration and the Civil Service Commission and its Chief Examiner with respect to recruitment, hiring, and placement of civil service employees. The Director shall be required to have a Bachelors degree in Industrial Relations, Liberal Arts, Personnel Management, Business Administration or related field with an advanced degree in one of the above fields preferred, and shall have five or more years of progressively responsible experience in Personnel Management including significant supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Section 6-16 OFFICIAL BONDS.
The Mayor, Town Clerk, Director of Finance, Treasurer, Agent of the town deposit fund, Tax Collector, Director of Public Works and such other officers and employees as may be required to do so by the Council shall, before entering on their respective official duties, execute to the City, in a form prescribed by the Council and approved by the Corporation Counsel, and file with the Town Clerk, a surety company bond in a penal sum to be fixed by the Council, conditioned upon honesty and/or the faithful performance of such official duties. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Council, if it deems it to be in the best interests of the City, from prescribing a name schedule bond, schedule position bond or blanket bond, or from prescribing which departments, offices, agencies, boards or commissions shall be covered by a specific type of the aforementioned bonds. Premiums for such bonds shall be paid by the City.