The Council shall appoint, whether for full terms or to fill vacancies, the members of all boards, commissions and offices authorized by Chapter V of this Charter and those others deemed necessary by the Council. This shall be done at a meeting to be held not later than 60 days after the municipal election or as the Council deems necessary. Interim appointments shall be made within 60 days of the vacancy.
The terms of appointment to any appointive board, commission or office shall not exceed four years unless specified by this Charter or by ordinance. Despite the expiration of a term, the holder of an appointive position shall continue to hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. The Town Council may remove any member from any appointed board, commission, committee, or agency who serves without compensation as follows: (i) upon such member's unexcused absence from three consecutive meetings of the board, commission, committee, or agency, whether regular or special meetings; (ii) upon such member's unexcused absence from 50% or more of the meetings, whether regular or special meetings, of the board, commission, committee, or agency within a calendar year, unless otherwise provided by the General Statutes; or (iii) for any other reason the Town Council deems sufficient provided that the member of such board, commission, committee, or agency is given notice and an opportunity to be heard at a formal hearing.
The number of members of any political party who may be appointed to any board or commission shall not exceed the number prescribed by the General Statutes.
No person shall be eligible for appointment to any board, commission, office or similar body except the Town Attorney, the Town Manager and the Director of Health, who is not at the time of appointment a resident of the Town at least 18 years of age. Any person except the Town Attorney, the Town Manager and the Director of Health who ceases to become a resident of the Town shall thereupon cease to hold appointive office.
Appointive boards, commissions and offices shall have the power and duties conferred or imposed by this Charter, by ordinance or by the General Statutes. Each board or commission shall choose a Chairperson and a Secretary and make rules for the conduct of its meetings and the execution of its duties. Such rules and the minutes of all meetings shall be filed with the Town Clerk for public inspection. Members of appointive boards and commissions shall serve without compensation, except the Town Attorney, Director of Health and such others as the Council may appoint. Necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duties may be paid from an appropriation authorized for that purpose.
Biennially, the Council shall appoint a Town Attorney to serve a term coincident with the Town Council. A purchase order shall be issued with the financial considerations subject to approval by the Town Council. The Town Attorney may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of five council members. The Town Attorney shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut. The Town Attorney shall appear for and protect the rights of the Town in all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against it or any department, office, agency, board or commission. The Town Attorney shall be the legal advisor of the Council, Manager and all officers, boards and commissions in all matters affecting the Town and shall, upon written request, furnish them with a written opinion on any question of law involving their respective power and duties. Copies of all opinions shall be forwarded to the Council. Upon request by the Council, the Town Attorney shall prepare or approve forms of contract or other instruments to which the Town is a party or in which it has an interest. The Town Attorney shall have powers, with the approval of the Council, to appeal from orders, decisions and judgments and to compromise or settle any claims by or against the Town.
The Council shall join a Health District or appoint a Director of Health, in accordance with General Statutes. The Health District or Director shall be responsible for the preservation and promotion of public health. The Health District or Director shall interpret and enforce the health and sanitary laws of the State and Town.
The Council shall appoint a Board of Assessment Appeals consisting of three members. Two members shall have alternating terms of four years, and one member shall have a term of two years. Biennially thereafter, the Council shall appoint two members, one to a four-year term and one to a two-year term to succeed the members whose terms expire.
The Council shall have the power to appoint boards and commissions as provided by ordinance, and shall have the authority to create or eliminate boards or commissions as appropriate. It shall determine the number of members and length of service.