THEODORE R. McKELDIN, GOVERNOR                     389

line gender has been used, as to any registering, voting, or holding
town office, it shall be construed to include the feminine gender.

41. (Regulation and Control.) The council shall have the power
to provide by ordinance in every respect not covered by the provisions
of this charter for the conduct of registration, nomination, and town
elections and for the prevention of fraud in connection therewith, and
for a recount of ballots in case of doubt or fraud.

42. (Penalties.) Any person who (a) fails to perform any duty
required of him under the provisions of this sub-title or any or-
dinances passed thereunder, (b) in any manner wilfully or corruptly
violates any of the provisions of this sub-title or any ordinances
passed thereunder, or (c) wilfully or corruptly does anything which
will or will tend to affect fraudulently any registration, nomination,
or town election, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Any officer
or employee of the town government who is convicted of a misde-
meanor under the provisions of this section shall immediately upon
conviction thereof cease to hold such office or employment.

FINANCE

43. (Clerk-Treasurer.) There shall be a clerk-treasurer appointed
by the mayor with the approval of the council. He shall serve at the
pleasure of the mayor. His compensation shall be determined by the
council. The clerk-treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the
town. The financial powers of the town, except as otherwise pro-
vided by this charter, shall be exercised by the clerk-treasurer under
the direct supervision of the mayor.

44. (Powers and Duties of Clerk-Treasurer.) (a) Under the
supervision of the mayor, the clerk-treasurer shall have authority
and shall be required to:

(b)    Prepare at the request of the mayor an annual budget to be
submitted by the mayor to the council.

(c)   Supervise and be responsible for the disbursement of all mon-
eys and have control over all expenditures to assure that budget ap-
propriations are not exceeded.

(d)    Maintain a general accounting system for the town in such
form as the council may require, not contrary to State law.

(e)   Submit at the end of each fiscal year, and at such other times
as the council may require, a complete financial report to the council
through the mayor.

(f)   Ascertain that all taxable property within the town is assessed
for taxation.

(g)    Collect all taxes, special assessments, license fees, liens, and
all other revenues (including utility revenues) of the town, and all
other revenues for whose collection the town is responsible, and
receive any funds receivable by the town.

(h) Have custody of all public moneys, belonging to or under the
control of the town, except as to funds in the control of any set of
trustees, and have custody of all bonds and notes of the town.