[Adopted by the Legislative Council 10-7-2009 (Ord. No. 93)]
[Amended 10-7-2015]
A Sustainable Energy Commission is hereby established for the
Town of Newtown. Said Commission shall consist of nine members appointed
by the First Selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
The term of office shall be three years, which shall expire at regularly
staggered annual intervals. The Charter provisions on minority representation
shall be observed.
The Sustainable Energy Commission shall have the following powers
and duties:
A.
To identify, implement and support renewable energy use, energy efficiency
and energy conservation programs in which the Town's residents, businesses,
organizations and Town agencies can participate and that may result
in cost savings to the Town or school district.
B.
To disseminate information relating to cost-effective and environmentally
conscious renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and energy conservation
programs.
C.
To support the efforts of Town officials and employees to identify
and implement renewable energy use, energy efficiency and energy conservation
programs.
D.
To make recommendations to and receive recommendations from appropriate
local, regional, state and federal officials and agencies, boards
and commissions regarding action to improve the Town's energy efficiency,
energy conservation, and renewable energy use.
E.
To advertise and maintain a website and prepare, print and distribute
books, charts and materials, and the Commission may collect, compile
and disseminate information relative to the promotion of energy efficiency,
energy conservation and renewable energy use.
F.
To support, develop and organize such other programs or innovations
as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
A.
The Commission shall meet monthly, at least 10 times per year, and
at such other times as the Commission may determine. A Chairman, Vice
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 thereof. Such rules and regulations shall be filed
with the Town Clerk.
B.
The Commission shall annually prepare and transmit to the Legislative
Council and to the Board of Selectmen a report of its activities and
of its recommendations for energy efficiency, energy conservation
and renewable energy. Such report shall be due on the first day of
October in each year. Other reports may be requested from time to
time by the Board of Selectmen or by the Legislative Council.
A.
All funds received by the Sustainable Energy Commission from any
source other than a specific gift or bequest shall be placed in the
custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown to be held,
administered and disbursed by the Financial Director as part of and
through the General Fund of the Town of Newtown, subject to any limitations
on the use of the funds. The Sustainable Energy Commission shall authorize
the disbursement of all funds appropriated by the Town for the purposes
of energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable
energy.
B.
All funds received by the Sustainable Energy Commission from a specific
gift or from a specific bequest shall be placed in the custody of
the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and shall be kept by
the Financial Director in an account that shall be known as the "Sustainable
Energy Commission Gift Fund," which account shall be separate and
distinct from all other Town accounts. Disbursements from the Sustainable
Energy Commission Gift Fund shall be made on order of the Sustainable
Energy Commission only, in accordance with the terms of the specific
gifts or bequests which make up the fund. With proper documentation,
all checks drawn on the Gift Fund shall be signed by the First Selectman
and the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown. The funds referred
to herein are for the exclusive use of the Sustainable Energy Commission
and shall not be used for any purpose other than as authorized by
the Commission.
Members of the Commission shall serve without pay. Necessary
expenses of members incurred in the performance of their duties may
be paid from funds appropriated for such purpose, if any.
