State law reference: MGL c. 40, § 8B.
A. Established. There shall be a Council on Aging consisting
of seven members
of which at least five members shall be 60 years
of age or older.
[Amended 3-15-2021 by Order No. 2021-80]
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Council on Aging coordinates and implements programs designed to meet the needs of residents age 60 and over. The Council surveys the elderly population to better determine their needs, problems and concerns. The Council develops criteria for program and supportive service development based upon an assessment of needs and participates in programs offered by the commonwealth's Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The Council has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to councils on aging by the General Laws.
C. The Council on Aging is an advisory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 41, § 81Z.
A.
Established. There shall be a Board of Appeals consisting of five members and up to two associate members.
B.
Authorities and responsibilities. The Board of Appeals hears and decides individual cases brought by persons seeking relief from the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, all as provided for by General Laws and by the City Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, the Board hears and decides applications for variances from the Zoning Ordinance requirements. It also hears and decides applications for special permits and appeals relating to actions or refusals to act by the zoning enforcement officer. The Board has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to zoning boards of appeal by the General Laws.
C.
The Board of Appeals is a regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 41, § 24.
A. Established. There shall be a Board of Assessors consisting of three members.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Board of Assessors annually makes fair cash valuation of all estates, both real and personal, subject to taxation within the City. The Board calculates and submits to the City Council for its approval the annual tax rate information necessary to meet all sums voted by the City. The Board hears and decides all questions relating to the abatement of taxes levied by it. The Board has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to boards of assessors by the General Laws.
C. The Board of Assessors is an advisory and regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 114, § 10.
A. Established. There shall be a Cemetery Committee consisting of three members.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Cemetery Committee manages the Wyoming Cemetery and may convey the sole and exclusive right of burial in any lot and of erecting tombs and other monuments thereon. The Committee has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to cemetery commissioners by the General Laws.
C. The Cemetery Committee is a regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 40, § 8C.
A. Established. There shall be a Conservation Commission consisting
of seven members and up to two associate members. The first appointment
of the two associate members shall be for one year for one member and two years for one member. All subsequent appointments shall be for three years, and such appointments
of associate members and the filling
of vacancies in such associate members shall be by appointment by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the City Council.
[Amended 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4]
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Conservation Commission protects, promotes and enhances the quality of the natural resources within the City, especially wetlands and water resources. The Conservation Commission is responsible for the preservation and protection of floodplains, water bodies and other wetlands within the City. The Commission is responsible for the stewardship of the City's conservation lands. The Commission has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to conservation commissions by the General Laws.
C. The Conservation Commission is an advisory and regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 111, § 26.
A. Established. There shall be a Board of Health consisting of three members, one of whom shall be a physician.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Board of Health preserves and maintains the City's public health standards and protects its environmental resources through community education and by promulgating reasonable rules and regulations pertaining to those matters placed under its jurisdiction by this Administrative Code. The Board takes evidence in appeals, considers plans required by law, holds hearings and issues findings relative to these matters but has no administrative or executive functions. The Director of Public Health exercises the administrative and executive functions of the Board. The Board may delegate the holding of hearings to the Director but retains the legal authority to vote on the ultimate disposition of the matter being heard. The Board establishes policies and programs for implementation by the Public Health Department. The Board has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to boards of health by the General Laws.
C. The Board of Health is an advisory and regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 40, § 8D.
A. Established. There shall be a Historical Commission consisting of seven members.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Historical Commission preserves, protects, and develops the historical and archaeological assets of the City. The Commission may conduct research for places of historic and archaeological value. The Commission may, subject to appropriation and approval by the Mayor, advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which it deems necessary for its work. The Commission, for the purpose of protecting and preserving such places, may make such recommendations as it deems necessary to the Mayor and, subject to the approval of the City Council, to the Massachusetts Historical Commission that any such place be certified as a historical or archaeological landmark. The Commission surveys and compiles a listing of all historical sites and buildings within the City, public and private; determines the functions and structures of all historical organizations within the City; and holds correlative seminars with historical organizations. It further determines the requirements for repair, reconstruction, and protection of historical landmarks and assists and cooperates with public commissions in the conduct of public historical events. The Commission has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to historical commissions by the General Laws.
C. The Historical Commission is an advisory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 138, § 4.
A. Established. There shall be a Liquor Licensing Commission consisting of three persons, who shall not be engaged, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages, who have been residents of the City for at least two years immediately preceding their appointment. One member shall be appointed from each of the two leading political parties and the third member may also be appointed from one of said parties. If any member of said Commission engages directly or indirectly in such manufacture or sale, his or her office shall immediately become vacant. Members shall serve for six-year terms.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Liquor Licensing Commission acts as the licensing board for the City with all power to grant, suspend, or revoke licenses and permits for intoxicating liquors. The Commission has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to liquor licensing commissions by the General Laws.
C. The Liquor Licensing Commission is a regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 45, § 2; Chapter 124 of the Acts of 1936.
A. Established. There shall be a Board of Park Commissioners consisting of five members.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Board of Park Commissioners shall oversee the design, constructing, alteration, repair, maintenance and management of the public parks, squares, and playgrounds and the lighting and watering thereof. The Board of Park Commissioners shall have the exclusive care, management and control of the Mount Hood Memorial Park and Golf Course. The Board shall have full power to use, rent or grant the use of the property under its jurisdiction and set the conditions and terms thereof; such conditions and terms shall be approved by the City Solicitor.
C. The Board of Park Commissioners is a regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 41, § 81A.
A. Established. There shall be a Planning
Board consisting
of nine members appointed to serve for a term
of five years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The position
of Board Member on the Planning
Board in the City
of Melrose shall be designated as a "Special Municipal Employee" as that term is defined in MGL Chapter 268A.
[Amended 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4; 6-2-2008 by Order No. 08-254]
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Planning Board coordinates the development of the City's vision, policies, goals and objectives for the physical, environmental, economic and social growth and development of the community. The Board provides advice for the incorporation of the vision, policies, goals and objectives into a Comprehensive Plan and reviews planning and development proposals for conformance with that plan. The Planning Board continuously develops and revises the Comprehensive Plan for the physical, environmental and social needs of the City, and its constituent functional plans for housing, transportation, parks and open space, historic preservation, and geographic plans for the City's neighborhoods and retail business wards. It reviews and approves the subdivision plans for the City and decides applications for special permits for planned developments, hillside developments, and affordable housing. The Planning Board administers a site plan review process and issues site plans for new residential, commercial and industrial uses. The Planning Board is the agency assigned to review and provide comments on environmental impact reports. The Board has all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to planning boards by the General Laws.
C. The Planning Board is an advisory and regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 51, §§ 15 and 25 (Order No. 20907).
A. Established. There shall be a Board of Registrars of Voters consisting of four members, one of whom shall be the City Clerk, with the City Clerk also having the title of Clerk of the Board of Registrars. As nearly as possible the members of the Board shall represent the two leading political parties, provided that the City Clerk need not be enrolled in a political party and provided, further, that in no case shall an appointment be made so as to cause the Board to have more than two members, including the City Clerk, of the same political party.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The
Board of Registrars
of Voters shall hold voter registration sessions, certify the signatures on nomination papers and petitions, hold hearings and decide disputes over signatures on nomination papers, prepare an annual list
of persons 17 and older, and employ poll workers and ballot counters. The
Board has all
of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to boards
of registrars
of voters by the General Laws.
[Amended 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4]
C. The Board of Registrars of Voters is a regulatory multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: Chapter 78 of the Acts of 1926.
A. Established. There shall be a Board of Trustees of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building consisting of five members, at least two of whom shall be veterans.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building shall have charge and control of the repairs, maintenance and management of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building and any personnel assigned to perform repairs, maintenance and management of said facility. The Trustees shall have full power to use, rent or grant the use of the property under their jurisdiction and set the conditions and terms thereof; such conditions and terms shall be approved by the City Solicitor.
C. The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building is a regulatory and ministerial multiple-member body of the City.
State law reference: MGL c. 115, § 12.
A. Established. There shall be a Veterans' Services Advisory Board consisting of 15 members.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Veterans' Services Advisory Board renders such assistance to the Veterans' Agent relative to the provisions of services to veterans as said Veterans' Agent may request.
C. The Veterans' Services Advisory Board is an advisory multiple-member body of the City.
[Added 2-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-77]
A. Established. There shall be a Commission on Women ("Commission") consisting
of nine members. The members
of the Commission shall be residents
of the City
of Melrose, shall be drawn from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation and socioeconomic backgrounds, and shall have prior experience working toward the improvement
of the status
of women in society.
[Amended 6-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-128]
B. Authorities and responsibilities.
(1) The Commission shall endeavor to study, understand, and promote constructive action in areas of interest and concern to women and girls in the community. As a central voice representing the interests of women and girls in the community, the Commission shall facilitate and promote economic, health, safety, education, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for women, foster the advancement of women and girls toward full equality in all areas of life, and provide the community with a needed vehicle for information, advocacy, and action on issues affecting women. In addition, the mission of the Commission shall be guided by the following functions:
(a) Survey and engage the women of Melrose in order to understand issues of concern and areas of opportunity, such as family and workplace policies, pay equity, women's health, and other areas as identified;
(b) Educate leaders of business, education, health care, local government, media, and the public on issues affecting women in our community;
(c) Promote and facilitate collaboration among local boards, commissions, and organizations with regard to issues affecting women in our community;
(d) Serve as an educational resource by conducting research, producing publications, and providing educational programs;
(e) Develop and implement special projects and community events focused on areas of interest and concern to women which are not currently being implemented;
(f) Recognize and promote the accomplishments of women in the community; and
(g) Preserve, document, and educate the public on the important contributions of women throughout the community's history.
(2) The Commission shall meet each January to elect one of its members as chair and to decide on a calendar of monthly meetings for the ensuing year, said calendar to be posted conspicuously at City Hall. Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of those present shall be sufficient for any action taken by the Commission. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be removed from the Commission.
C. The Commission on Women is a ministerial and advisory multiple-member body of the City of Melrose.
The following multiple-member bodies are incorporated herein for reference. They are created by a special act of the Legislature and may not be modified by ordinance or administrative orders.
A. Pine Banks Park Corporation established pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 393 of the Acts of 1905, Chapter 162 of the Acts of 1906 and Chapter 450 of the Acts of 1922.
B. Traffic and Parking Commission established pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 76 of the Acts of 1998.
[Added 2-24-2020 by Order No. 2020-52]
State Law Reference: MGL c. 40, § 8J.
A. Established. There shall be a Commission on Disability ("Commission") consisting of seven members. The members of the Commission shall be residents of the City of Melrose. A majority of the Commission shall consist of people with disabilities, one member of the Commission shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability and one member of the Commission shall be either an elected or appointed official of that city or town.
B. Authorities and responsibilities. The Commission shall: (1) research local problems of people with disabilities; (2) advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities; (3) coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability; (4) review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of the City of Melrose as they affect people with disabilities; (5) provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and (6) assist and coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes. The Commission shall hold at least 10 meetings annually.
C. The Commission on Disability is a ministerial and advisory multiple member body of the City of Melrose.
[Added 9-8-2020 by Order No. 2021-2]
State Law Reference: MGL c. 44, § 55C.
A. Established. The Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Fund is hereby established.
B. Purpose. The Trustees of the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Fund shall administer an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Melrose to promote greater diversity and racial equity in the community and for the benefit of low- to moderate-income households in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 44, § 55C.
C. Board of Trustees.
(1) Composition. The Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Fund shall have a Board of Trustees composed of five Trustees that meet at regular intervals. The Mayor or Mayor's designee shall serve as one of the Trustees.
(2) Appointment of Trustees; terms, vacancies. The Mayor shall appoint Trustees annually in January, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Trustees first appointed shall have staggered terms, with two of the appointed Trustees initially serving a one-year term, and the remaining two serving a two-year term. Thereafter, all appointments and reappointments, with the exception of the Mayor's term, shall be for a period of two years. If a vacancy shall occur among the Trustees, it shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.
(3) Service without compensation. The Trustees shall serve without compensation.
(4) Removal. Trustees may be removed by the Mayor, at his discretion.
(5) Authority and responsibilities. The specific authority and responsibilities of the Trustees, all of which shall be carried on in furtherance of the purposes set forth in MGL c. 44, § 55C, and in this article, are as follows:
(a) To accept and receive property, whether real or personal, by gift, grant, devise, or transfer from any person, firm, corporation or other public or private entity, including without limitation grants or funds or other property tendered to the Trust in connection with provisions of any zoning ordinance or bylaw or any other ordinance or bylaw;
(b) To purchase and retain real or personal property, including without restriction investments that yield a high rate of income or no income;
(c) To sell, lease, exchange, transfer or convey any personal, mixed, or real property at public auction or by private contract for such consideration and on such terms as to credit or otherwise, and to make such contracts and enter into such undertaking relative to Trust property as the Board deems advisable, notwithstanding the length of any such lease or contract;
(d) To execute, acknowledge and deliver deeds, assignments, transfers, pledges, leases, covenants, contracts, promissory notes, releases and other instruments sealed or unsealed, necessary, proper or incident to any transaction in which the Board engages for the accomplishment of the purposes of the Trust;
(e) To employ advisors and agents, such as accountants, appraisers and lawyers as the Board deems necessary;
(f) To fund grant positions for municipal employees through specified grants established by the Trust, whose positions are in furtherance of the purposes set forth in MGL c. 44, § 55C, and in this article;
(g) To pay reasonable compensation and expenses to all advisors and agents and to apportion such compensation between income and principal as the Board deems advisable;
(h) To apportion receipts and charges between incomes and principal as the Board deems advisable, to amortize premiums and establish sinking funds for such purpose, and to create reserves for depreciation depletion or otherwise;
(i) To participate in any reorganization, recapitalization, merger or similar transactions; and to give proxies or powers of attorney with or without power of substitution to vote any securities or certificates of interest; and to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property, by or between any corporation and any other corporation or person;
(j) To deposit any security with any protective reorganization committee, and to delegate to such committee such powers and authority with relation thereto as the Board may deem proper and to pay, out of Trust property, such portion of expenses and compensation of such committee as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate;
(k) To carry property for accounting purposes other than acquisition date values;
(l) To borrow money on such terms and conditions and from such sources as the Board deems advisable, to mortgage and pledge Trust assets as collateral;
(m) To make distributions or divisions of principal in kind;
(n) To comprise, attribute, defend, enforce, release, settle or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust, including claims for taxes, and to accept any property, either in total or partial satisfaction of any indebtedness or other obligation, and subject to the provisions of this article, to continue to hold the same for such period of time as the Board may deem appropriate;
(o) To manage or improve real property; and to abandon any property which the Board determined not to be worth retaining;
(p) To hold all or part of the Trust property uninvested for such purposes and for such time as the Board may deem appropriate; and
(q) To extend the time for payment of any obligation to the Trust.
D. Limitations.
(1) The conveyance
of any real property subject to Subsection
C(5)(a),
(b), or
(c) above, shall require the approval
of the Mayor and the City Council.
(2) Any debt incurred by the Trust shall not constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the City of Melrose, and all documents related to any debt shall contain a statement that the holder of any such debt shall have no recourse against the City of Melrose, with an acknowledgement of said statement by the holder.
E. Reporting. The Trustees shall keep a record of their doings and make a report thereof to the City annually. The report shall include a description and source of funds received and expended and the type of affordable housing programs or properties assisted with the funding. Such report shall be sent to the Mayor not later than January 15 in each year, and a copy thereof shall be filed with the Office of Planning and Community Development. The books and records of the Trust shall also be audited annually by an independent auditor in accordance with accepted accounting practice. The audit of the Trust may be done by the City's auditors. The Trustees shall also provide the City Council with a copy of the Trust's annual audit.
F. Legal status.
(1) The Trust is a public employer and the members of the Board are public employees for purposes of Chapter 258 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
(2) The Trust shall be deemed a municipal agency and the Trustees shall be deemed as special municipal employees for purposes of Chapter 268A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
(3) The Trust is exempt from Chapters 59 and 62 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and from any other provisions concerning payment of taxes based upon or measured by property or income imposed by the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof.
(4) The Trust is a governmental body for purposes of Sections 18 through 25 of Chapter 30A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
(5) The Trust is a Board of the City for purposes of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B and MGL c. 40, § 15A; but agreements and conveyances between the trust and agencies, Boards, commissions, authorities, departments and public instrumentalities of the City or town shall be exempt from said Chapter 30B of the Massachusetts General Laws.