Can a chazan be terminated based on ongoing rumors about inappropriate behavior?

A public servant (i.e. chazan) should not be removed from his post if there are rumors of alleged wrongdoing unless there are witnesses to substantiate the claims. If there are ongoing rumors about alleged wrongdoing which do not subside, the Achronim discuss whether he should be removed from his position. If he is being paid, a factor to consider is whether the rumors are substantive enough to cause him to be fired and suffer a monetary loss.

סעיף כה, ס"ק עח, וביה"ל ד"ה אם; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 82

Does a son-in-law inherit his father-in-law’s leadership positions?

When a public servant who served in a prestigious position passes away, his son takes precedence in filling his role. As long as the son is fitting for the task, he takes priority over other people, even those with greater capabilities. The Achronim disagree about whether a son-in-law has the rights of a son with respect to this halacha. They further disagree on whether a son inherits his father’s right to perform a specific mitzvah, such as opening the Aron Kodesh. The question of whether a son should succeed his father in a rabbinic or judicial career is also discussed. The custom today is that a son has the right to assume his father’s role in these areas as well.

סעיף כה, ס"ק פג (ו־פה), וביה"ל ד"ה שליח; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 93-95

Is a paid chazan better than a volunteer?

It is forbidden to summon another Jew to secular court (without permission from beis din). One who did so (and has not done teshuva) may not serve as chazan during the Yamim Noraim. If the secular court awarded him money which he would not have been entitled to according to halacha, he is a gazlan and cannot be chazan during the rest of the year either. If he was unaware of the severity of going to secular court, he is not disqualified during the year.

ס"ק פב; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 91

• If a community has limited funds and can afford either a rov who can render halachic decisions or a chazan, hiring a rov takes precedence. This ruling holds true even if members of the community are not proficient in davening and need a chazan to fulfill their obligations.

• All the residents of a city must contribute to its public institutions. These communal responsibilities include building a shul, establishing a mikvah and hiring a rov. The Rishonim discuss whether the tax should be imposed equally or whether it should be income-based.

• It is better to have a steady, salaried chazan than to rely on volunteers. Relying on volunteers leaves the community susceptible to having inappropriate chazanim take the amud. 

• Can one daven from a siddur printed on Shabbos?

• What is so detrimental about talking between Yishtabach and Yotzer Ohr?

• When are appropriate times to say Kaddish?