Town of Merrimack Charter Commission - All Forms Matrix
Mayor - Alderman City Council - City Manager Reference
     
Governing Body Mayor & Alderman City Council 49-C:8
Legislative Body Mayor & Alderman City Council 49-C:8
Chief Administrative Officer Mayor City Manager 49-C:16
Representation Equal Wards - Defined by Charter  Number of Alderman chosen as specified by law,Ord. or charter Equal Wards - Defined by Charter  Number of Councilors chosen as specified by law,Ord. or charter 49-C:3
Terms of Office Set by Charter (Typ. Mayor 2 yr - Alderman Coterm. 1,2,3 yr) Set by Charter (Typ. Weak Mayor  -Councilman Coterm. 1,2,3 yr) 49-C:8
Principal Officer Mayor City Manager 49-C:16
Period of Domicile 1 Year (set by charter) 1 Year (set by charter) 49-C:9
Residency 1 Year (set by charter) Alderman in Ward - Mayor at Large 1 Year (set by charter) 49-C:9
Vacancies Charter provides procedure until next election Charter provides procedure until next election 49-C:10
Compensation Designated by charter or ordinance (Mayor FT Salary - Alderman PT) Councilors receive compensation (Specified by Charter or Ordinance) 49-C:11
Removal From Office All can be removed under charter specifications  All can be removed on specific charges after due notice and hearing for prolonged absense, crimes or misconduct  All can be removed under charter specifications  Elected Councilors can be removed on specific charges after due notice and hearing for prolonged absense, crimes or misconduct 49-C:13
General Powers Can Introduce bills & initiate measures.  Head of Administrative Branch  Mayor supervises administrative affairs.  Ensures Ordinaces,Charter and General Laws applicable to the city.  Mayor cannot be counted to make a quorum.  Mayor cannot vote as a member except in the case of Equal Division. Can Inroduce bills & initiate measures.  Head of Administrative Branch  City Manager supervises administrative affairs.  Ensures Ordinaces,Charter and General Laws applicable to the city.  Keeps Elected Body Informed.  City Manager cannot vote.   49-C:15     49-C:16 
Appointive Powers The Mayor has power to Appoint or remove Administration Service Officers of city (not Alderman). Charter Provides Appointment of: Fire Chief, Police Chief, Health Officer by way of Mayor. The City Manager has power to Appoint or remove Administration Service Officers and employees of city.  Charter Provides Appointment of: Fire Chief, Police Chief, Health Officer by way of City Manager.  Charter provides for the removal of City manager   (Non Interference) 49-C:18     49-C:20
Non Interference by Elect Body Individual of elected body cannot influence CAO; No interference of officers; Interference is cause for removal of office. Individual of elected body cannot influence CAO; No interference of officers; Interference is cause for removal of office. 49-C:19
Appointive Officers Mayor has power subject to provision by the charter City Manager has power subject to provision by the charter 47:14,  49-C:20, 49-C:18
Organization Mayor has power subject to provision by the charter City Manager has power subject to provision by the charter 49-C:21
Administrative Code Mayor must develop and present to alderman within 9 months of election City Manager must develop and present ot council within 9 months of appointment. 49-C:21
Merit Plan Crafted in 9 Months Crafted in 9 Months 49-C:21
Fiscal Year Determined by Charter (Jan - July or July to June) Determined by Charter (Jan - July or July to June) 49-C:22
Budget Process Determined by Charter Mayor prepares budget - Alderman Pass Budget Determined by Charter  CM prepares budget - Councilman Pass Budget 49-C:23
Budget Submission Dates Determined by Charter  Determined by Charter  49-C:23
Budget Hearings Determined by Charter  Determined by Charter  49-C:23
Transfer of funds Determined by Charter Determined by Charter 49-C:23
Audit Required by statutes as established by charter Required by statutes as established by charter 49-C:23, 47:8
Supplemental Appropriations Approved by Alderman - 2/3 vote required Approved by Councilman - 2/3 vote required 49-C:23,6
Fiscal Controls As established by charter As established by charter 49-C:23, 47:6
Borrowing As established by charter As established by charter 49-C:24, 31:11
Referendum Procedures Charters include the provision for procedure for voters to petition to suspend or implement an ordinance, Except budget and land use regulation enacted by elected body. Charters include the provision for procedure for voters to petition to suspend or implement an ordinance, Except budget and land use regulation enacted by elected body. 49-C:33a
Initative Procedures Charters may include the provisions relative to inititve procedures whereby voters initiate ordinances by petition Charters may include the provisions relative to inititve procedures whereby voters initiate ordinances by petition 49-C:33b
Conflict of Interest City Charters include a provision as least as stringent as state laws City Charters include a provision as least as stringent as state laws 49-C:33c
Bond Issues Authorized by the resolution of the alderman, and passed by 2/3 vote of members and signed by mayor and city treasurer. Authorized by the resolution of the alderman, and passed by 2/3 vote of members and signed by mayor and city treasurer. 33:9
Land Use Changes The legislative body determines manner in which codes established. Placed on ballot and not amended until public hearing The legislative body determines manner in which codes established. Placed on ballot and not amended until public hearing 675:2, I&II
Annual Municipal Election All general election statutes apply.  All general election statutes apply.  49-C:4&5, 46:1, 44:11, 44:13
Administrative Code Adoption City has departments/divisions established by charter or by elected body by Ordinance. City has departments/divisions established by charter or by elected body by Ordinance. 49-C:21
Administrative Code Review Periodic review determined by charter Periodic review determined by charter 49-C:21
Purchasing System Established by Charter and/or Ordinance to create a purchasing dept. Established by Charter and/or Ordinance to create a purchasing dept. 48:17
Investment Policy Required by Charter Required by Charter 48-16,III
Transition Charter revisions, new charters, revocations adopted by voters will become effective immediately for the purpose of conducting elections. Otherwise on the first day of next municipal year, or by charter Charter revisions, new charters, revocations adopted by voters will become effective immediately for the purpose of conducting elections. Otherwise on the first day of next municipal year, or by charter 49-B:6,IV
Added Notes: Mayors typically have a manager/administraive services officer (added cost). Mayor is Full Time Salary Position.  A mayor who gets elected may not have the requisite qualifications. Works IF Mayor and manager do not clash (S. Fournier).  Many of these items are Charter Defined Weak Mayor is a Part Time position with NO Salary. We still have the city manager who can run the administrative affairs. Councilors could  represent distinct areas of Merrimack. Mayor and councilors do get input from voters. Charter requires that city manager would be run city departments with minimum interference.  Many of these items are Charter Defined