[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Mansfield: Art.
I, 2-25-1974. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Authorities — See Ch. 5.
Conservation Commission — See Ch. 11.
Economic Development Commission — See Ch. 17.
Emergency preparedness — See Ch. 21.
Code of Ethics — See Ch. 25.
Housing Partnership — See Ch. 34.
Inland Wetlands Agency — See Ch. 40.
Library — See Ch. 51.
Personnel Appeals Board — See Ch. 63.
Planning and Zoning Commission — See Ch. 67.
Regional Planning Agency — See Ch. 82.
Zoning Board of Appeals — See Ch. 94.
Housing Authority — See Ch. A193.
[Adopted 2-25-1974]
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish guidelines for the organization
and procedure of appointive boards, committees and commissions of the Town
of Mansfield, hereinafter collectively called "committees."
A.
Each appointed standing committee shall file with the
Town Clerk, by January 31 of each year, a schedule of regular meetings and
provide at least twenty-four (24) hours' advance notice to the Town Clerk
for special meetings.
B.
All committee meetings shall be open to the public except
when a majority of the members of such body present and voting shall vote
to hold the meeting in executive session.
C.
All appointed committees may meet at the call of the
appointing authority as well as at the call of their chairperson.
D.
All committees advisory to the Town Manager should advise
the Manager of all meeting dates in advance.
[Amended 9-23-1974]
A chairperson of each committee, if not designated by the appointing
authority, shall be elected by the committee at its first regular meeting.
The election of a vice chairperson is also recommended. A secretary shall
also be elected at this first meeting. At the first meeting of each successive
year, the committee should elect officers.
A.
Each committee may formulate its own procedures for conducting
meetings. The chairperson should have the same privileges of voting as any
other committee member.
B.
Any questions relating to committee structure, procedure
or membership should be directed to the Town Manager and to the Committee
on Committees of the Town Council.
A.
Each committee is to keep minutes of action taken at
meetings with votes of members recorded.
B.
One (1) copy of the secretary's minutes is to be
sent to the appointing authority and one (1) copy either sent to each committee
member or passed out prior to the start of the following meeting.
C.
It is the responsibility of the chairperson to keep the
Town Manager advised as to matters of substance under consideration by the
committee.
D.
The development of an agenda for each meeting is therefore
desirable. A brief summary of action taken at meetings and submitted to the
Manager within forty-eight (48) hours would be helpful.
A majority of the committee's membership constitutes a quorum.
Without a quorum, no action may be taken.
A.
The secretary should take notice of expiration dates
of terms of office and notify the Town Manager one (1) month in advance of
such dates.
B.
Ordinarily, no person appointed to a committee shall
serve more than three (3) consecutive terms or ten (10) consecutive years.
C.
Resignations are to be submitted in writing to the appointing
authority through the office of the Town Clerk and to the chairperson of the
respective committee.
D.
No town employee may be a member of a committee advisory
to his or her department unless it is specifically permitted in the ordinance
or resolution establishing such committee.
E.
Committee members should notify their chairperson in
advance if they cannot attend a meeting.
F.
Any committee member absent for three (3) consecutive
meetings without justifiable reason as determined by majority vote of the
committee shall be considered to have resigned, and the chairperson should
so notify the appointing authority through the office of the Town Clerk.
G.
The chair of the committee will notify the Town Clerk of any
changes in membership that occur in the case of members who serve by virtue
of their office.
[Added 1-24-2005, effective 1-24-2005]
H.
Unless otherwise provided by statute, Town ordinance or Town
Council resolution, any committee member whose term has expired will continue
to serve until reappointed or replaced.
[Added 1-24-2005, effective 1-24-2005]
A.
All committees are accountable to the appointing authority
and shall serve under its jurisdiction. The official actions and/or recommendations
of all such bodies shall be reported periodically to their respective appointing
authority.
B.
All standing committees are to report annually, in writing,
to the Town Manager for submission to the Town Council.
C.
Ad-hoc committees of the Town Council are to report periodically
to the Council through the Manager and should act promptly and faithfully
on their assignment.
Each appointed committee should clear its publicity material through
its chairperson.
Official committee contacts with agencies outside of local town government
should be cleared through the Town Manager.
A.
No purchase shall be made by any committee except through
the Town Purchasing Agent.
B.
All purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and other
commodities are to be accomplished by the Purchasing Agent based on requisitions
signed by the chairperson of the committee or by a responsible representative
appointed by him.
C.
All purchases of professional services are to be accomplished
through and with the concurrence of the Town Manager. No committee shall involve
the town in any obligation to spend money for any purpose in excess of the
amount appropriated therefor.
The Town Clerk shall maintain a list of active boards,
authorities, and committees, which shall be available for public inspection.
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