[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Cromwell 5-13-2009. Amendments noted where applicable.]
CHARTER REVISION
Effective with the general election held in November 2013, the Town changed to a Town Council/Town Manager form of government. According to Charter § 11.04, any references in Town ordinances to the "First Selectman" or to the "Board of Selectmen" shall now be deemed to refer to the "Town Manager" or the "Town Council," as appropriate.
There is hereby created a Senior Services Commission ("Commission") to act in the best interest of the senior population of the Town of Cromwell.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of 11 voting members with a minimum age of 55 and otherwise eligible for appointment pursuant to Section C802 of the Town Charter.[1] The Commission shall be organized in accordance with § 57-5 of this chapter. Except as defined in § 57-3 of this chapter, terms shall last two years. Commissioners may be reappointed by the Town Council after serving a term of office, pursuant to § 57-4 of this chapter.
[Amended TC 6-16-2014]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Charter § 4.17(b).
B. 
A quorum shall consist of no less than five voting members.
Upon the effective date of this chapter, the Senior Services Advisory Board ("SSAB") shall be dissolved. The 11 members of the dissolved SSAB shall become the initial members of the new Commission. Terms will be staggered so that all terms do not expire in the same year. Based upon the alphabetical order of the initial membership, the first six members shall have their terms expire on April 30, 2010, while the other five members shall have their terms expire on April 30, 2011. Thereafter, all terms shall expire after two years.
[Amended TC 6-16-2014]
Whenever a vacancy occurs, the Town Council shall appoint a successor to hold office, consistent with Section C803 of the Town Charter.[1] If a vacancy occurs midterm, the successor shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term, at which time he may be reappointed. Whenever a term has expired, the Town Council shall reappoint a Commissioner or appoint a successor to hold office in his place. A Commissioner shall continue in office until he is not reappointed or until a successor is appointed in his place. Commissioners may be removed pursuant to Section C802A of the Town Charter.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Charter § 4.17(d).
[2]
Editor's Note: See now Charter § 4.17(c).
A. 
The annual election of officers shall be held in the month of June. A majority of Commissioners present and voting will elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for terms of one year. In addition, the Commission will appoint and may remove a nonvoting Secretary to serve as Commission Clerk.
B. 
In addition to the voting members appointed to the Commission by the Town Council and the nonvoting Secretary appointed by the Commission, the Senior Center Director, Municipal Agent to the Elderly, Friends of the Senior Center Chairman, the Director of Public Health, and the Town Manager or his designee shall hold nonvoting positions on the Commission ex officio.
[Amended TC 6-16-2014]
C. 
Subcommittees may be created by the Chairman as deemed necessary to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of the Board.
D. 
At the December meeting, the Commission shall vote upon a schedule of regular meetings for the upcoming year and file the schedule with the Town Clerk's office. A minimum of four regular meetings shall be held per calendar year.
Other than the nonvoting Secretary as defined in § 57-5 of this chapter, members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, though their necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties shall be paid by the Town within the limits of any funds budgeted or otherwise appropriated for that purpose. The Secretary will receive compensation consistent with the compensation for clerks of other Town boards and commissions, within the limits of any funds budgeted or otherwise appropriated for that purpose.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall properly file meeting agendas and minutes with the Town Clerk's office. Annually, working with the Senior Center Director, the Commission shall assist in the preparation of an annual report for inclusion in the Town's annual report.
[Amended TC 6-16-2014]
Working with the Senior Center Director and designated staff, the Commission will strive to provide opportunities, new experiences, and advocacy to all older adults in the Cromwell community, promoting dignity, personal growth, health, friendship, independence, and improved quality of life. The Commission will advise the Senior Center Director, the Town Manager, and the Town Council on relevant community needs and Senior Center operations, including the preparation of the Senior Services budgets, specific issues related to the governing structure, and any feedback concerning participant satisfaction. The specific duties of Commission officers shall be established in the formal rules of order and must be consistent with the provisions contained within this chapter.
The Commission shall be governed by the bylaws maintained by its membership, with a copy of the document filed at the Town Clerk's office. Initially, the SSAB bylaws approved by the Board of Selectman on September 12, 2007, will serve as the official rules of order. The Commission may change the bylaws with a two-thirds majority of those members present and voting, provided that the majority consists of no less than five members and that no rules of order conflict with the provisions contained in this chapter.