[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.
[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.
