There is hereby established in the Town of Blackstone the Blackstone
Economic Development Committee, which shall serve as an advisory committee
to the Board of Selectmen and other Town boards, committees and agencies
with respect to matters relating to economic and business development
within the Town.
The EDC shall consist of no fewer than four and no more than
eight members, including ex officio members, each of whom shall be
appointed by the Board of Selectmen, to serve staggered terms of three
years. Certain initial appointments to the EDC may be for lesser terms
in order to implement this "staggered term" provision. Members may
serve an unlimited number of terms. If a vacancy on the EDC occurs
by reason of death, resignation, or any other cause, the vacant seat
shall be filled, upon recommendation of the EDC Chairman, by the Board
of Selectmen for the duration of the unexpired term.
A representative of the Blackstone Board of Selectmen shall
be designated by the Board to serve as an ex officio member of the
EDC. This ex officio member will not be counted for quorum purposes
and will not have the right to vote. The ex officio member is encouraged
to participate in discussion at meetings and to assist with other
aspects of the EDC's agenda, including coordinating initiatives
among other Town boards, committees and departments.
No member of the EDC shall seek to influence a decision, participate
in any action or cast a vote involving any matter that is before the
EDC which may result in a private benefit to him/herself, his/her
immediate relatives or their business interests. If an EDC member
determines that he/she may have a conflict of interest on a particular
issue, he/she shall declare the nature of such conflict and ask to
be excused from deliberating and voting on the issue related to the
conflict. If a member is excused from voting, he/she shall leave the
meeting table and not participate in any further discussion on the
matter.
The EDC may adopt policies and/or regulations governing its
procedures by majority vote of the EDC. Said policies/regulations
shall at all times be consistent with all statutes, laws, bylaws,
regulations and general policies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and the Town of Blackstone.