Danvers proposal would replace town manager law and set town rules

The proposal would repeal Danvers’ 1997 town manager act and set out a replacement law. The replacement provisions govern town government in Danvers. The proposal is still in progress and is not yet in effect. The proposed act says it would take effect upon passage.

The proposed act sets the annual election and town meeting schedule and assigns election and appointment duties. The provisions cover Danvers elections and town offices, including the select board, school committee, and appointed boards and officers. Voters would elect select board and school committee members. The select board would appoint the town manager, who would appoint several town officials and boards, subject to exceptions in the act. The regular town election would be held on the first Tuesday in May each year. The town meeting for warrant items decided without a ballot would be held on the third Monday in May.

The proposed act assigns the town manager oversight of many town departments and duties for budgets, buildings, purchases, and employees. These duties concern Danvers town departments and services. The manager’s authority has exceptions, including the select board, school committee, and certain other bodies. School department employees and Peabody Institute Library employees are excluded from the manager’s stated hiring and removal authority. The manager’s compensation cannot exceed the amount the town appropriates. The manager would submit an annual estimate of town spending and revenue to the select board by March 1.