Pursuant to Glocester Home Rule Charter §
C13-10, there is hereby established a Community Resource Commission consisting of seven regular members and two alternate members, who shall be appointed by the Town Council for terms concurrent with the terms of the Town Council, with the exception that members should hold their respective offices until their successors are qualified.
The purpose of the Community Resource Commission is to create
a public body whose primary responsibility is to assist the Town with
implementation and management of green energy resources and to advise
the Town Council and other Town boards and commissions on how the
Town can better utilize the natural, physical and human resources
within the Town with the purpose of offsetting the burden of taxation
on the residents and businesses of the Town.
The Commission is hereby authorized:
A. To advise and make recommendations to the Town Council and other
Town boards and commissions from time to time in accordance with its
stated purpose. The Commission may, with the approval of the Town
Council, seek grant money and financing in coordination with appropriate
Town departments for engineering, construction and/or installation
of green energy resources such as water, solar and wind power, as
well as agricultural and commercial activities which will benefit
the Town and its residents. The Commission is authorized to adopt
bylaws, subject to the approval of the Town Council. The Commission
may assist with the installation, management, supervision and operation
of such facilities in coordination with appropriate Town departments,
subject to the approval of the Town Council. All financial activities
of the Commission shall be under the jurisdiction of the Finance Department.
The Commission is authorized to adopt a specific charge in accordance
with its stated purpose, subject to the approval of the Town Council.
B. To establish a public education program to make property owners aware
of funding sources for the repair or replacement of on-site wastewater
treatment systems, the proper maintenance and care of OWTS, and the
need for periodic pumping. The education program shall remain in place
to educate new residents and to update the Commission members and
existing residents of the Town on new information or procedures.
C. To raise funds for the administration, operation, contractual obligations
and services of the wastewater management district by:
(1) Seeking, applying for and obtaining grants and other funds from the
State of Rhode Island and/or the United States of America and/or private
entities.
D. To seek and receive grants of funds from governmental agencies or
private groups.
E. To establish a revolving fund to make available grants and low-interest
loans to individual property owners for the improvement, correction,
repair or replacement of failed OWTS.
F. To provide a list for use by the general public of local contractors
who are licensed to design, install or repair wastewater treatment
systems and local septage haulers and inspectors.
All meetings of the Commission shall comply with the Rhode Island
Open Meetings Law, and any person or his duly constituted representative
shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any matter before the
Commission before it reaches its decision. All records of its proceedings,
resolutions and actions shall be open to public view. The Commission
shall come before the Town Council annually, to display and explain
a full and explicit audit of its operations.
The members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson and
Vice Chairperson from among their members. The term of office of the
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, unless otherwise prescribed by the
Town Council, shall be for the calendar year.
The Commission may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Town Council.