[(16)(17)(19)]
Officials have a special responsibility by virtue of the trust
invested in them by the Town's residents to discharge their duties
conscientiously, impartially, and to the best of their ability, placing
the good of the Town above personal or partisan considerations. Officials
have an obligation to make continuing efforts to attain high standards
of service and performance. Individuals who consent to serve on Town
boards are expected to devote the necessary time and effort to these
commitments.
All boards and board members shall execute their powers and
duties in a manner consistent with the “Guidelines for Boards,
Committees, and Commissions” adopted by the Board of Selectpersons
on December 7, 2022, and as may have been amended subsequently.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, all boards shall
within 30 days of taking office and annually thereafter elect a Chair
and such other offices as each board shall deem advisable for its
purposes. Boards may make regulations for the conduct of their meetings
and the execution of their duties. Such regulations and any amendments
to them shall be filed with the Town Clerk, and shall be public records.
The Chair of each board shall file with the Town Clerk no later
than January 31 of each year the schedule of regular meetings for
the ensuing year. Special meetings shall require 24 hours' notice
except for emergencies or as provided in the General Statutes.
All boards shall make their best efforts to electronically record
all proceedings by audio or video.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the compensation of all such boards shall be as recommended by the Board of Selectpersons and Board of Finance, and shall be subject to the same budgeting procedure as is described in Article X of this Charter, and officials serving without pay shall receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, subject to the limits of appropriations available for such purposes.
The First Selectperson shall provide each person appointed to
a board with a copy of the ordinance, or other source, which defines
the duties of the office.
All electronic communication by and among board members relating
to the official business of a board shall be done in compliance with
such rules and guidelines as may be established by the Board of Selectpersons
or as required by the Freedom of Information Act.
No later than March 31 of each year, the chair of each board
shall provide to the Town Clerk a report of the record of attendance
of each of its members for the prior calendar year. The report shall
specify the percent of regular meetings at which each member has been
present,
Copies of all minutes taken by each board shall be filed with
the Town Clerk, and in the case of appointed boards also with the
office of the First Selectperson within seven days of the date on
which such actions are taken and shall include the roll call vote
of those present, a description of the various items of business discussed
or transacted, a reference to all correspondence received and the
recorded vote of each member thereof on all issues. In addition, the
vote of each member upon any issue before a board shall be reduced
to writing and made available for public inspection at the Town Clerk's
office within 48 hours in accordance with Section 1-225 of the General
Statutes.
