[Adopted 1-6-1994 by Ord. No. 370-93]
[Amended 5-15-2018 by Ord. No. 126-2018]
There is hereby created and established the Fitchburg Commission on Disability consisting of not fewer than 11 members. The purpose of the Commission shall be to cause the full integration and participation of persons with disabilities in the City of Fitchburg.
A. 
The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. The terms for the first members of the Commission shall be for one, two and three years respectively, and so arranged that the term of 1/3 of the members expires in each of the three succeeding years. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years each.
B. 
The Commission shall be constituted as follows:
(1) 
A majority of the Commission members shall be persons with disabilities.
(2) 
At least one member of the Commission shall be either an elected or appointed official of the City of Fitchburg.
(3) 
At least one member of the Commission shall be in the immediate family of a person with a disability. For purposes of this article, the term "disability" or any variant of it shall mean "disability" as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12111.
C. 
Any member of the Commission may be removed for cause by the Mayor after a public hearing if the member requests one.
A. 
In addition to the powers and duties otherwise granted by state law, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) 
To investigate and research local problems and issues of persons with disabilities and to make recommendations as a result thereof.
(2) 
To advise and assist municipal officials and employees so as to assure municipal compliance with state and federal law affecting or impacting persons with disabilities.
(3) 
To coordinate and/or carry out programs designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and to coordinate such activities with the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities or other appropriate persons or entities.
(4) 
To review and make recommendations about the policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of municipal departments, boards or agencies as they affect persons with disabilities.
(5) 
To provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations on matters relating to disabilities.
(6) 
To coordinate the activities of other local groups organized for similar or related purposes.
B. 
The Commission may receive gifts of real and personal property in the name of the City of Fitchburg subject to the approval of the City Council. The Commission shall manage and control these gifts in furtherance of the purposes for which it was created. Such gifts shall be accepted and expended in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 44, § 53A.
The Commission shall meet at least 10 times annually and shall keep records of its meetings and its actions. It shall file an annual report which shall be printed in the Annual Report of the City of Fitchburg.