The Town of Newton hereby establishes the Newton Economic Development
Advisory Commission. The Commission shall be the link between the
governing body of the Town of Newton and the business and residential
community. Its establishment is to research, study, evaluate and make
recommendations to the Mayor and Council as to the economic vitality
and development in the Town of Newton on an ongoing basis.
A.
With the exception of one member of the Town Council, who shall be
designated on an annual basis, and the Community Development Director,
both of whom will be nonvoting members, the Commission members appointed
by the governing body shall be appointed for three-year terms, and
vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
B.
The terms of office of each appointee shall commence on the first
day of January and shall expire on the 31st day of December of the
appropriate year.
C.
In addition, the Commission may consist of no less than seven members
who represent a cross section of the business and residential community.
The members shall receive no compensation for their services.
A.
The Mayor and Town Council will appoint, on a yearly basis, a representative
from the Council to serve on the Commission.
B.
The Newton Economic Development Advisory Commission shall choose
annually from among its members a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The Chairperson
shall be elected by majority vote and shall not serve more than two
consecutive years. The Vice Chairperson shall also be elected by majority
vote, with no limit to term. To be eligible to serve on the Commission,
a person must reside in the Town of Newton or have a place of business
in the Town of Newton. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly
and as frequently as required.
The Economic Development Advisory Commission may have the following
powers and duties:
A.
To inquire into, survey and publicize the extent, advantages and
utility of vacant properties in the Town which can be economically
developed.
B.
To solicit businesses or industry to purchase or lease property within
the Town.
C.
To serve as an ombudsman for business and community organizations
through engaging liaison with those organizations that are deemed
essential to the success of the various programs, projects and policies
of the Commission.
D.
To coordinate programs and projects aimed at the retention of existing
business, as well as the attraction of new or expanded business opportunities,
within the Town.
E.
To survey and determine what businesses would be successful in the
central business district and in other business districts and to encourage
such businesses to locate within the Town.
F.
To encourage business owners to maintain and/or improve/beautify
their property.
G.
To investigate the availability of state or federal grants which
may be available for general economic development or commercial and
industrial enterprises within the Town.
In the event a member shall miss three consecutive meetings,
the Commission shall report such absences to the Mayor and Council.
If the Mayor and Council, after inquiry, are satisfied that the absences
were not for reasonable cause, the Commission member may be removed
by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
The Newton Economic Development Advisory Commission shall submit
a budget each year to the Town Council for approval.
