Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 43, § 76

Each commissioner may, except as is otherwise provided herein, appoint a qualified person to serve as the head of each of the departments under his charge and may remove him for cause stated in the order of removal. All appointments and removals so made shall be subject to confirmation by the city council. The employees in each department shall be appointed and removed by the head of that department. This section shall not affect the laws governing the civil service.