J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      999

records and perform such other duties as may be required by this
charter or the council.

66.    Town attorney.

The mayor with the approval of the council may appoint a town
attorney. The town attorney shall be a member of the bar of the
Maryland Court of Appeals. The town attorney [shall be] is the
legal adviser of the town and shall perform such duties in this con-
nection as may be required by the council or the mayor. His com-
pensation shall be determined by the council. The town [shall
have] has the power to employ such legal consultants as it deems
necessary from time to time.

67.    Authority to employ personnel.

The town [shall have the power to] may employ such officers and
employees as it deems necessary to execute the powers and duties
provided by this charter or other State law and to operate the town
government.

68.    Merit system.

The town may provide by ordinance for appointments and promo-
tions in the administrative service on the basis of merit and fitness.
To carry out this purpose the council [shall have the power to] may
adopt such rules and regulations governing the operation of a merit
system as it deems desirable or necessary. Among other things these
rules and regulations may provide for competitive examinations, the
use of eligible lists, a classification plan, a compensation plan, a pro-
bation period, appeals by employees included within the classified
service from dismissal or other disciplinary action, and vacation and
sick leave regulations. The town may request and avail itself of the
facilities of the Commissioner of State Personnel for the adminis-
tration of its merit system, as provided in State law.

69.    Unclassified and classified service.

(a)    Division. The civil service of the town shall be divided into
the unclassified and classified service.

(b)     Unclassified service. The unclassified service shall comprise
the following offices and positions, which shall not be included within
the merit system:

(1)    The mayor, the councilmen, and persons appointed to fill va-
cancies in these positions.

(2)    The clerk-treasurer and the town attorney.

(3)    The heads of all offices, departments, and agencies and mem-
bers of town boards and commissions.

(4)    Part-time, temporary, and unpaid offices and positions.

(c)    Classified service. The classified service shall comprise all
positions not specifically included by this section in the unclassified
service. All offices and positions included in the classified service shall
be subject to any merit system rules and regulations which may be
adopted.

70.    Prohibitions.

(a) Listed. If a merit system is adopted, no person in the classified
service of the town or seeking admission thereto shall be appointed,