[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was repealed 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013.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]
There shall be a Planning Commission of five 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 Commission,
serving one-year terms, with the powers and duties prescribed by the
General Statutes.
[Amended 11-6-2013, effective 11-6-2013]
There shall be a Zoning Commission of five members serving four-year
terms with the powers and duties of Zoning Commissions prescribed
by the General Statutes.
(a)
There shall be three alternate members of the Zoning Commission,
serving one-year terms, with the powers and duties prescribed by the
General Statutes.
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.
