N.Y. Town Law § 53-a: Department heads

§ 53-a. Department heads. The town board shall appoint the head of any

department of the government of the town established or created in

accordance with the provisions of this article. Such department heads

shall be principal executive officers of their respective departments

and their offices shall be in the unclassified service, and unless their

titles are otherwise designated by the town board, they shall be known

as directors. Salaries of department heads shall be determined in the

same manner as is provided in the annual budget for the salaries of

other town officers, provided, however, that where the duties of a

department head are increased, altered or diminished by local law and to

the extent funds are available therefor, appropriate adjustment may be

made in such local law in the salary of such department head.