2250                               Municipal Charters

60.   PREVIOUS ISSUES

All bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness validly issued by
the town previous to the effective date of this charter and all ordinances
passed concerning them are hereby declared to be valid, legal, and binding
and of full force and effect as if herein fully set forth.

61.   PURCHASING AND CONTRACTS

All purchases and contracts for the town government shall be made
by the clerk-treasurer. The council may provide by ordinance for rules and
regulations regarding use of competitive bidding and contracts for all town
purchases and contracts. All expenditures for supplies, materials, equip-
ment, construction of public improvements, or contractual service involv-
ing more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be made on written
contract. The clerk-treasurer shall be required to advertise for sealed bids,
in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance, for all such written
contracts. Such written contracts shall be awarded to the bidder who
offers the lowest or best bid, quality of goods and work, time of delivery
or completion, and responsibility of bidders being considered. All such
written contracts shall be approved by the council before becoming effec-
tive. The clerk-treasurer shall have the right to reject all bids and read-
vertise. The town at any time in its discretion may employ its own forces
for the construction or reconstruction of public improvements without
advertising for (or readvertising for) or receiving bids. All written con-
tracts may be protected by such bonds, penalties, and conditions as the
town may require.

PERSONNEL

62.   CLERK TO COUNCIL

The clerk-treasurer shall serve as clerk to the council. He shall attend
every meeting of the council and keep a full and accurate account of the
proceedings of the council. He shall keep such other records and perform
such other duties as may be required by this charter or the council.

63.   TOWN ATTORNEY

The mayor with the approval of the council may appoint a town at-
torney. The town attorney shall be a member of the bar of the Maryland
Court of Appeals. The town attorney shall be the legal adviser of the town
and shall perform such duties in this connection as may be required by the
council or the mayor. His compensation shall be determined by the council.
The town shall have the power to employ such legal consultants as it deems
necessary from time to time.

64.   AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY PERSONNEL

The town shall have the power to 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.

65.    MERIT SYSTEM AUTHORIZED

The town may provide by ordinance for appointments and promotions
in the administrative service on the basis of merit and fitness. To carry
out this purpose the council shall have the power to adopt such rules and
regulations governing the operation of a merit system as it deems desirable