[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Greenfield as amended 6-15-2011 by Order No. FY 11-106 (Ch. 34, Art. VIII, of the 2002 Bylaws). Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the Town to
protect and promote the constitutional, civil and human rights of
all people within the Town from any actions or incidences occurring
within the Town. Further, the Town asserts that:
A.Â
All people have certain inalienable rights, including the rights
to life, liberty, property, the pursuit of happiness and equal justice
under the laws of the United States, the commonwealth and the Town
of Greenfield.
B.Â
No person shall have these rights constrained, reduced, ignored or
violated; all people shall be protected in the exercise of these human
and civil rights.
C.Â
No person shall be unlawfully discriminated against, in matters of
housing, employment, education, or public accommodations, on the basis
of: age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious
creed, sex or sexual orientation.
D.Â
The Greenfield Human Rights Commission shall work toward mutual respect
and understanding among all individuals and groups of the Town through
improving the quality of public discourse and eliminating unlawful
discrimination.
A.Â
There shall be in the Town a commission known as the "Greenfield
Human Rights Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission," which
shall consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor.
B.Â
The Commissioners shall serve a term of three years; provided, however,
that of the members first appointed to the Commission, three shall
be appointed to a term of one year, three shall be appointed to a
term of two years, and three shall be appointed to a term of three
years. Thereafter the Mayor shall appoint each successor to a term
of three years. In the event of death or resignation of any member,
a successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired term for
which the member has been appointed.
A.Â
The members of the Commission shall annually elect a Chairperson
and a Vice Chairperson from among their members who shall not hold
that office for more than two consecutive terms. The Commission may
elect other officers with the permission of the Mayor.
B.Â
Subject to the approval of the Mayor, the Commission shall adopt
a set of rules for its administration which are consistent with the
laws of the commonwealth and ordinances of the Town.
C.Â
Five members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting
business.
The Human Rights Commission is established:
A.Â
To improve the quality of life of the Town by enlisting community-based
groups in educational programs and campaigns to increase mutual self-respect,
harmonious intergroup relations and the peaceful enjoyment of life
in our diverse community.
B.Â
To respond to complaints by persons who believe that their human
or civil rights, as defined by existing local, state and federal law,
have been violated in Greenfield.
C.Â
To initiate investigations into circumstances for which a formal
complaint is received or where cases of alleged discrimination are
brought to the Commission by other Town boards, commissions or officials.
D.Â
To work with municipal government departments, the School Department,
commissions and boards, to increase compliance with appropriate local,
state and federal laws and to raise the level of awareness and sensitivity
to human rights issues in municipal business with the public through
workforce-wide required training programs.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall include the following:
A.Â
To obtain information and documents, request staff support and other
help as necessary from other Town departments, including the School
Department.
B.Â
To publish reports and other documents.
C.Â
To initiate investigations into the existence of unlawful discrimination
in the Town which may deny or tend to deny equal access or opportunity
in matters of housing, employment, education, or public accommodations
on the basis of: age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin,
race, religious creed, sex or sexual orientation, and in connection
therewith to hold administrative hearings.[1]
D.Â
To attempt by negotiation to resolve all complaints that come before
it and recommend to all appropriate governmental agencies, federal,
state or local, such action as will resolve such complaint.
E.Â
To refer complaints, when appropriate, to the Massachusetts Commission
Against Discrimination, or other agency, for resolution.
F.Â
To raise funds, subject to the Commission's internal rules of conduct
and conflict of interest, for the use of the Commission and to accept
money, gifts and services for its exclusive use and expend or use
the same.
G.Â
To publish as a public document its bylaws, policies, and practices
for both internal functions and external activities, excluding those
documents which are confidential under federal or state law.
H.Â
To publish its rules of procedure for the conduct of its investigations,
hearings, and negotiations. Said rules shall ensure the due process
rights of all persons and/or entities involved in an investigation.
At any hearing before the Commission, or any committee thereof, a
witness shall have the right to be advised and represented by counsel.
I.Â
To render to the Mayor a full written report of its activities and
its recommendations, not less than once a year.
J.Â
To expend, with approval of the Mayor, such funds as are appropriated
for the aforementioned purposes. The Commission shall annually prepare
an operating budget in a timely manner.
All Commission records shall be public except those that are
necessary to ensure privacy rights under state or federal laws and
those that are excluded under MGL c. 4, § 7(26).
This chapter shall not apply to the official actions of Town
of Greenfield officers or employees or any members of boards or commissions
of the Town.