[Ord. of 8-22-1995]
The North Adams Scholarship Committee is hereby established
and shall consist of five members, whose members shall consist of
the Superintendent of Schools or his designee and four residents of
the City. Such members shall serve without compensation.
[Ord. of 8-22-1995]
Other than the Superintendent of Schools or his designee, the
Mayor shall appoint the remaining members of the Committee with the
consent of the City Council to three-year terms, one member of which
shall be designated by the Mayor as Chairperson. In the first year
the Mayor shall appoint two members to one-year terms, one member
to a two-year term and one member to a three-year term. All subsequent
terms shall be three years in length and so arranged that the terms
of not more than two members shall expire each year on the first day
of January. If for any reason a vacancy occurs in the membership of
the Committee, the vacancy shall be filled forthwith by the Mayor,
with the consent of the City Council, for the unexpired term.
[Ord. of 8-22-1995]
Beginning in January 1996, and every year thereafter, the Committee
shall elect the Chairperson from among its own members. The Chairperson
shall annually appoint a member to serve as Secretary. If the Secretary
is absent from a meeting, the Chairperson shall designate another
member to function as Secretary for that meeting. If the Chairperson
is absent from a meeting, the Secretary shall assume the chair. If
both the Chairperson and Secretary are absent, the member with the
most seniority shall assume the chair. A total of four members of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
[Ord. of 8-22-1995]
The Committee shall meet at such times as may be necessary for
the proper exercise of its powers and duties. Special meetings may
be called by the Chairperson, provided that 48 hours' notice is given
to the other Committee members in writing or by telephone contact.
The Chairperson is responsible for setting the agenda for each regular
and special meeting. An affirmative vote of a majority of those members
of the Committee present and voting is required for any motion to
pass. The Committee may make such additional rules and regulations
for its own government and in relation to its officers and members
as it may deem expedient and proper. On all matters of parliamentary
procedure not provided for in these rules or by law or by ordinance,
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern.
[Ord. of 8-22-1995]
The Committee shall have the powers and duties conferred by
General Laws, Chapter 60, Section 3C, and shall perform such duties
as the City Council, by ordinance, may, from time to time, prescribe.
The Committee shall select the recipients of and amounts of financial
aid from the scholarship fund and shall be guided by any criteria
established by the Committee. However, the recipients of financial
aid must be residents of the City at the time the financial aid is
first awarded and have been accepted to pursue education beyond the
secondary school level at an institution deemed accredited by the
Committee. Also, the Committee shall take into consideration each
recipient's financial need, character, scholastic record and involvement
in community work as well as extracurricular school activities. The
Committee may accept gifts, contributions and bequests of funds from
individuals, foundations and from federal, state and other governmental
bodies for the purpose of funding the Committee's program, provided
that all funds received shall be deposited into a special account
in the general treasury and shall be in the custody of the Treasurer,
pursuant to General Laws, Chapter 60, Section 3C; and may do and perform
any and all acts which may be necessary or desirable to carry out
the purpose of this section.