[Ord. No. 233, § 2, 7-11-1975; Ord. No. 1110, § I, 3-10-2015]
Under the authority conferred by Chapter 153 of the Acts of 1970, there be and is hereby created, in the City of Pittsfield, a Consumer Advisory Commission. In accordance with Article 2, Section 2-10, Article 3, Section 3-3 and Article 6 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, the Mayor shall appoint not less than seven but no more than nine members to the Consumer Advisory Commission, pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 8F, and subject to City Council approval. Each member must be a citizen and resident of the City of Pittsfield, including, as an ex officio member, the Sealer of Weights and Measures pursuant to the General Laws.
[Ord. No. 233, § 2, 7-11-1975; Ord. No. 1142, § XXXIV, 9-29-2015]
When the commission is first established, the terms of the members
shall be for one, two or three years and so arranged that the terms
of approximately one-third members will expire each year and their
successors shall be appointed for a term of three years each. Any
member of the commission so appointed may, after a public hearing,
if requested, be removed for cause by the Mayor, subject to city council
approval. In the event of a vacancy, the Mayor shall appoint a successor
as soon as practicable, subject to city council approval, and said
successor shall fulfill the unexpired term of the member whose seat
was vacated.
[Ord. No. 233, § 2, 7-11-1975; Ord. No. 1110, § II, 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1142, § XXXV, 9-29-2015]
[Ord. No. 233, § 2, 7-11-1975]
The consumer advisory commission shall hold regular meetings,
at least quarterly, and shall designate the time and place thereof
and shall so inform the city clerk. The commission shall have the
power to adopt rules and regulations, subject to and with approval
of the city council, for the conduct of business within its jurisdiction
and shall keep a record of its proceedings. A majority of the members
shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy shall occur when any member shall
fail to be present at four consecutive regular meetings, or 25% of
such meetings in any calendar year, unless such absence shall be excused
by the commission and the reason therefor entered in the proceedings.
The powers and duties of the consumer advisory commission shall
be exercised and performed as herein provided and in conformity with
the laws of the commonwealth.
The Commission shall be charged with conducting investigations
and research into matters affecting consumer interests and education
and to advise and report the results of such investigations and research
to the general public as well as to local governmental authorities
and law enforcement agencies. The Commission may also undertake or
recommend programs, as it deems in the best interest of the City,
to correct or resolve consumer related programs in accordance with
such investigations and research.
The Consumer Advisory Commission shall have the power to call
upon any other department of the City government for assistance in
performing its duties; and it shall be the duty of such other departments
to comply with a proper request of said Commission. Any question as
to what constitutes a proper request for assistance shall be decided
by the City Council. The Commission shall also seek the cooperation
and assistance of the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the office
of the District Attorney, the office of the Attorney General and agencies
which regularly deal with consumer related matters.
The Commission shall submit an annual report of its activities
which shall include an evaluation of its effectiveness in accordance
with the provisions of the City ordinances and shall send a copy thereof
to the Consumers’ Council of the commonwealth.
