There shall be a Town Council consisting of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and 5 Council Members, all elected as provided in this Charter, the members of which shall initially be compensated at the rate of $3,000 for the Chairperson and $1,500 for the remaining members per annum, such level of compensation to be reviewed from time to time by said Council. Any increase or decrease by a vote of at least five members of the Council voting in favor of such an increase or decrease only takes effect upon the election of the next Council. The Town Council may be reimbursed by the Town for actual expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
A. 
At the first meeting following its election, the Council shall designate a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson, when present, shall preside over the meeting of the Town Council and shall have full voting power at such meeting.
B. 
At its first meeting following the election, the Council shall fix the schedule of its regular meeting dates and times. Such schedule shall be set by vote of the entire Council. The Council shall meet twice a month and at least one meeting a month shall be held during the evening hours.
C. 
The Council may call a special meeting whenever deemed necessary.
D. 
All actions of the Council shall require four affirmative votes.
E. 
Minutes of each meeting shall be taken and shall include the attendance of each member on all items of business before the Council by a clerk.
A. 
The Council shall have the powers and duties as are provided for Boards of Selectmen by the General Statutes, as amended, and this Charter, and may exercise any of the powers conferred on towns by Section 7-194 of the General Statutes, as amended.
B. 
The Council shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and documentation and to investigate any duty-related actions of all officers, boards, commissions and agencies of the Town to which the Council has the power to appoint pursuant to Chapter VII of this Charter.
A. 
The Council shall direct, supervise and shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of the officers, departments, boards, commissions and agents of the Town to which the Council has power to appoint pursuant to Chapter VII of this Charter.
B. 
The Council shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the officers, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies of the Town to which the Council has power to oversee as outlined in this Charter.
C. 
The Council shall hold at least one joint meeting, one of which shall be held during the month of January of each year, with all officers, departments, boards, commissions, agencies and authorities to coordinate the planning and activities of Town functions and responsibilities.
A. 
The Town Council shall have the legislative power to enact ordinances, not inconsistent with this Charter and the General Statutes, as amended, for the preservation of the good order, health, welfare, and safety of the Town and its inhabitants. No ordinances may be enacted by the Town Council during the period after the election of members of the Town Council and the date they take office after the election with the exception of ordinances to meet a declared emergency under Section 5-6 of this Charter.
B. 
At least one public hearing shall be held by the Town Council before the enactment of any proposed ordinance. Notice of a hearing shall be given in the form of a legal advertisement, by publication, not less than 10 days before the date of such hearing, of the full text of the proposed ordinance, in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town, a copy of which shall be on file in the Town Clerk's office.
C. 
The Town Council shall enact or deny the proposed ordinance within 30 days after the public hearing.
D. 
Each ordinance as enacted, and its effective date, shall promptly be published in the form of a legal advertisement in accordance with state law and on the Town's website. Every ordinance, after enactment, shall be recorded and filed by the Town Clerk in the Code of Ordinances.
E. 
Every ordinance shall become effective on the 30th day after publication unless a petition to overrule such ordinance has been filed in accordance with Section 4-6 of this Charter.
On a declaration by the Town Council that a state of public emergency exists endangering the lives, health or property of citizens, the Council may enact ordinances to meet such emergency. No public hearing shall be required for emergency ordinances and such ordinances shall become effective immediately, and shall be published promptly in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town. Every emergency ordinance and amendments thereto shall automatically stand repealed at the termination of the 60th day following enactment of said ordinance.
The Town Council shall have the following powers and duties. The Council:
A. 
Shall review the proposed budget from the Town Manager consistent with the provisions of Chapter X of this Charter.
B. 
Shall with the advice of the Town Attorney, institute, prosecute, defend, or compromise any legal action or proceeding by or against the Town;
C. 
Shall call a Special Town Meeting to consider and act upon recommendations for the creation, consolidation, change or abolition of offices, boards, commissions, or agencies not otherwise provided for in this Charter;
D. 
Shall approve or reject any collective bargaining agreement for the Town employees;
E. 
Shall accept a public street or highway provided that the Town Engineer shall have certified that such street or highway has been completed and meets all standards and specifications established by ordinances and regulations relating to streets and highways, and may discontinue, a public street or highway;
F. 
Shall authorize the submission by the Town Manager of applications for federal, state or regional grants;
G. 
May incur indebtedness in the name of the Town and provide for the due execution of contracts and evidence of indebtedness issued by the Town;
H. 
May employ such staff with such powers, duties and responsibilities as they may deem necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Council, consistent with the provisions of this Charter.
I. 
May call a Special Town Meeting for any proposal it deems of sufficient importance.
J. 
Shall have the authority to approve real property tax abatement agreements allowed under provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes.
K. 
In no circumstance shall the Town Council accept any grant or enter into any grant agreement that:
1. 
Obligates the Town or any agency thereof to expend funds in excess of the amount granted, unless and until such funds have been appropriated in accordance with the terms of this Charter; or
2. 
Obligates the Town or any agency thereof to take any action that would otherwise require further approval by Town Meeting or any other board or commission.
The Council and its members shall deal with the Town Manager's appointees and their subordinates solely through the Town Manager. Neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any of the subordinates of the Town Manager either publicly or privately. For purposes of investigation, the Council may invite any employee or officer before a properly constituted meeting of the Council, provided that the Town Manager has been invited to attend.