[Adopted 8-8-2001 (§§ 2-68 to 2-69.5 of the 1974 Code)]
[Amended 8-13-2018[1]]
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-136, as amended, the Town Meeting of the Town of Ridgefield (hereinafter referred to as the "Town") hereby creates an Economic and Community Development Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") for the promotion and development of the economic resources of the Town.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This Special Town Meeting action also amended the title of Article X.
[Amended 8-13-2018]
It is the purpose of this article to establish an Economic and Community Development Commission for the Town which will seek to implement orderly and planned economic development, in keeping with the character of the Town. The Commission will seek to involve all agencies, commissions, boards and departments in the Town which are involved in, or are affected by, economic development, as well as the residents of the Town, in its work to promote economic development.
[Amended 12-10-2008; 9-7-2022]
The Commission shall consist of nine members who are electors of the Town who shall be appointed by the First Selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Each member shall serve a term of two years. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the First Selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Minority representation shall exist as described in § 5-2 of the Charter of the Town.
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, as such, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The Commission may appoint and remove, as it may require, a clerk for the performance of its duties, whose salary shall be fixed by the Commission within its appropriation by the Town.
A. 
The Commission shall conduct research into the economic conditions and trends in the Town.
B. 
The Commission shall maintain an up-to-date inventory of all corporate, business and commercial land, both developed and undeveloped, as well as unused public land. Vacant corporate, business and commercial real estate shall be inventoried in as current a manner as possible.
C. 
The Commission may conduct public opinion surveys for the future use of land in the Town.
D. 
The Commission shall make recommendations to appropriate local, regional, state and federal officials and agencies, boards and commissions regarding action to improve the Town's economic condition and development.
E. 
The Commission shall consult with and advise appropriate departments and land use agencies of the Town on all phases of current business and corporate development in the Town.
F. 
The Commission shall seek to act as liaison to organized private groups with respect to economic development.
G. 
The Commission may advertise and may prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets and may collect, compile and disseminate information relative to the natural, economic and other resources of the Town which will further the official purposes of the Commission. The Commission may market, with consent, both nonprofit and for-profit organizations and businesses with funds contributed by organizations, groups, businesses and individuals. The Commission may manage funds from private entities for the purpose of economic development.
[Amended 8-13-2018]
H. 
The Commission shall study and investigate the conditions affecting existing business and commerce in the Town and promote the preservation, expansion and development thereof within the Town.
I. 
The Commission shall take active steps to promote, encourage and induce desirable business and commercial firms to locate in the Town.
J. 
The Commission may request, from time to time, such assistants, experts, technicians and professional help deemed necessary for the conduct of its work, the expenses of which shall be kept within the limits of any appropriation of funds made by the Town.
A. 
The Commission shall meet monthly, at least 10 times per year, and at such other times as the Commission may determine. A Chairman and Secretary shall be chosen, and the Commission is empowered to adopt rules and regulations for putting into effect the provisions of this article, which rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the provisions hereof. Such rules and regulations shall be filed with the Town Clerk of the Town.
B. 
The Commission shall prepare and submit to the Board of Selectmen, annually, on the first day of October in each year, a report of its activities and its recommendations for improving the economic condition and development of the Town. Other reports may be requested, from time to time, by the Board of Selectmen.
The annual appropriation for the expenses of the Commission shall be made pursuant to the Charter of the Town. Such appropriation shall not exceed statutory allowances set forth in C.G.S. § 7-136, as amended, nor exceed other limitations as may be set from time to time by the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.