A superintendent of highways and bridges shall possess practical and technical qualifications for the duties of such office and shall hold no other office in the town government. The superintendent shall be bonded, in an amount fixed by the board of finance if the town has such a board, otherwise by the board of selectmen, by a reliable surety company, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of such office. The premium on such bond shall be a charge against the town and shall be paid upon the requisition of such superintendent. The superintendent shall receive such salary as is fixed by the board of finance, or by the town in town meeting when there is no such board, the appropriation therefor to be made in the same manner as other appropriations are made in such town. Such salary shall be paid by the treasurer of the town out of the general funds of the town raised by taxation, upon the requisition of the superintendent, countersigned by the selectmen of the town.