[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.
