[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 5-1, Board of Selectmen appoint, was repealed 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013.
[Amended 11-7-2006, effective 12-7-2006]
(a)
The terms of appointment to any appointive board shall not exceed four years and shall commence on December 23rd following appointment by the Board of Selectmen; and shall expire on December 22nd at the term of appointment.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
(b)
At the expiration of his term, a member of an appointive board shall continue to hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified.
[Amended 11-7-2006, effective 12-7-2006]
If a person vacating an appointive board or commission was appointed as a member of a political party, the vacancy shall be filled by a member of the same political party; or if the vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the vacancy may be filled by any eligible person so long as the number of any one political party on the board does not exceed the number prescribed by the General Statutes.
(a)
Appointive boards shall have the powers and duties prescribed by this Charter, or prescribed by ordinance in the case of appointive boards authorized under Section 5-22.
(b)
They shall choose a Chairman and a Secretary, and may make regulations for the conduct of their meetings and the execution of their duties. Such regulations shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
(c)
The members of appointive boards shall serve without compensation, except that necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties may be paid from an appropriation authorized for that purpose; and the members of the Board of Tax Review shall be compensated as required by the General Statutes.
(d)
Removal for cause.
(1)
A member of an appointive board may be removed for cause by the Board of Selectman.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
(2)
No such removal for cause shall be effected unless the member:
(a)
Has received a statement, in writing, of the reasons why he should be removed. This statement may be prepared either by the First Selectman or by the remaining members of the appointive board.
(b)
Has, not less than fifteen days after the delivery of the statement of reasons, been afforded an opportunity for a hearing before the Board of Selectmen, at which he may appear with counsel.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013; 11-4-2025, effective 1-1-2026]
There shall be a Planning and Zoning Commission of seven members serving four-year terms with the powers and duties of Planning Commissions prescribed by the General Statutes.
There shall be three alternate members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, serving one-year terms, with the powers and duties prescribed by the General Statutes.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 5-6, Zoning Commission, amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013, was repealed 11-4-2025, effective 1-1-2026.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4-5(a)4, the Planning Commission and/or the Zoning Commission may, if there is an appropriation for the purpose, employ Town Planning or Zoning consultants and contract for technical services.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
(a)
There shall be a Zoning Board of Appeals of five members serving four-year terms, with the powers and duties of Zoning Board of Appeals prescribed by the General Statutes.
(b)
There shall be three alternate members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, serving one-year terms, with the powers and duties prescribed by the General Statutes.
There shall be a Board of Assessment Appeals of three members serving three-year terms with the powers and duties of Boards of Assessment Appeals prescribed by the General Statutes.
There shall be a Board of Fire Commissioners of five members, each serving a term of three years, with the powers and duties as prescribed by town ordinance. The Board of Fire Commissioners, under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, shall be charged with: the financial management of the town funds used by the Fire Department and the supervision and care of town apparatus, buildings and equipment used by the Fire Department. The Board of Fire Commissioners shall set specifications that shall be followed in the purchase of apparatus, equipment and supplies by the town for the Fire Department. The organization, government and membership shall be in accordance with all applicable statutes and regulations and the Somers Volunteer Fire Department's constitution and by-laws. There shall be a Chief elected by the members of the Fire Department and approved by the Fire Commissioners. The Chief shall be responsible for the emergency operation of the Fire Department as prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Board of Selectment repealed the Board of Fire Commissioners 1-21-2016, effective 2-12-2016.
There shall be a Recreation Commission of seven members serving two-year terms.
There shall be a Water Pollution Control Authority consisting of seven members serving three-year terms. The powers and duties of the Water Pollution Control Authority shall be as prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes. In addition, there shall be two alternate members of the Water Pollution Control Authority serving one-year terms. When seated, the alternates shall have all of the powers and duties of regular members.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Conservation and Wetlands Commission of seven members serving four-year terms. One member shall also be a member of the Zoning Commission, one member shall also be a member of the Planning Commission, and one member shall also be a member of the Water Pollution Control Authority. The Commission shall have the powers and duties prescribed by the Wetlands Ordinance enacted by the Town of Somers.
(a)
There shall be two alternate members of the Conservation Commission, serving one-year terms. When seated, the alternate members shall have all of the powers and duties of regular members.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Housing Authority of five members serving four-year terms with the powers and duties of Housing Authorities prescribed by the General Statutes.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Building Board of Appeals with five members serving four-year terms with the powers and duties of Building Board of Appeals prescribed by the General Statutes and the Connecticut Basic Building Code.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Cemetery Committee of five members serving four-year terms.
There shall be an Advisory Committee to the Elderly of nine members serving one-year terms. The Municipal Agent shall be a member and Chairman of the Committee. Other members will include a representative of the Senior Club, a representative from each site of public housing for the elderly, a Senior Drop-In Center representative and three representatives from different geographical locations of Somers. The Committee shall have the powers and duties of Advisory Committees as prescribed by the Board of Selectmen.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
(a)
There shall be a Civil Preparedness Advisory Council of nine members serving two-year terms. Four of these members shall consist of the Resident Trooper, the Fire Chief, Superintendent of Schools and Superintendent of Highways. The Council shall have the powers and duties of Civil Preparedness Advisory Councils prescribed by state statutes.
(b)
The appointive authority may suspend residency requirements for the following personnel: Resident Trooper, Fire Chief, Superintendent of Schools, and Superintendent of Highways.
The Commission shall be comprised of five (5) resident electors, none of whom shall serve the town in any other capacity, either as an elected or appointed member of a commission or board, nor as an employee of the town or the Somers Board of Education. All members shall be appointed by majority vote of the Board of Selectmen. Two (2) alternate members may also be appointed. Of the five (5) members initially appointed, three (3) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and two (2) for a term of one (1) year. All subsequent appointments to the Commission shall be for a term of two (2) years. The Commission shall have the powers and duties as set forth in applicable Connecticut General Statutes Town Ordinances.
[Added 11-7-2006, effective 12-7-2006; amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Treasurer serving a term of two years reviewable annually by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen shall establish and periodically review a written job description for the Treasurer including any required certifications, licenses, or degrees. The Treasurer shall act as the Director of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer of the Town and shall perform all duties and functions prescribed to Town Treasurers in the Connecticut General Statutes and shall report to the Board of Selectmen. A panel comprised of one member of the Board of Finance, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and one non-elected individual with a background in finance chosen by the other two members shall submit a nomination to the Board of Selectmen for appointment as Treasurer. Should the nominated candidate fail to be appointed for any reasons, the panel shall then reconvene and submit subsequent nominations until a candidate is seated.
[Added 11-7-2006, effective 12-7-2006; amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Collector of Taxes serving a term of two years reviewable annually by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen shall establish and periodically review a written job description for the Collector of Taxes including any required certifications, licenses, or degrees. The Collector of Taxes shall perform all duties and functions prescribed to Tax Collectors in the Connecticut General Statutes and shall report to the Director of Finance. A panel comprised of the CFO of the Town of Somers, one member of the Board of Finance, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and one non-elected individual with a background in property management or property evaluation chosen by the other three members shall submit a nomination to the Board of Selectmen for appointment as Collector of Taxes. Should the nominated candidate fail to be appointed for any reasons, the panel shall then reconvene and submit subsequent nominations until a candidate is seated.
There shall be an Assessor serving a term of two years reviewable annually by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen shall establish and periodically review a written job description for the Assessor including any required certifications, licenses, or degrees. The Assessor shall perform all duties and functions prescribed to Assessors in the Connecticut General Statutes and shall report to the Director of Finance. A panel comprised of the CFO of the Town of Somers, one member of the Board of Finance, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and one non-elected individual with a background in property management or property evaluation chosen by the other three members shall submit a nomination to the Board of Selectmen for appointment as Assessor. Should the nominated candidate fail to be appointed for any reason, the panel shall then reconvene and submit subsequent nominations until a candidate is seated.
[Amended 11-7-2006, effective 12-7-2006]
(a)
Appointive boards may be created and their powers and duties specified by ordinance. Appointive boards authorized by this section may be abolished or consolidated, their powers and duties may be altered, and the number and terms of their members may be changed by ordinance.
(b)
The Board of Selectmen may establish school building or other committees in accordance with resolutions of Town Meeting, and such advisory or study committees as the Board finds desirable in the discharge of its duties.