[Added 11-30-2022 ATM by Art. 4]
A. Established.
There is hereby established a veterans' council consisting of seven
persons appointed by the Selectboard from all the veterans who are
voters and residents of the Town under the provisions of MGL c. 115,
§ 12, with each member serving a three-year term. The initial
appointments shall serve staggered terms as follows: two shall serve
one year, two shall serve two years and the remaining three shall
serve three years. Following the first term, all appointments shall
be made for a term of three years.
B. Powers and
duties. The Veterans' Council shall meet at least four times a year
or upon the call of the chairperson. The Veterans' Council shall advise
and make recommendations to the Director of Veterans' Services, the
Town Administrator and Selectboard on legislation pertaining to veteran
affairs, and promote the welfare of veterans in the Town of South
Hadley. Further, the Veterans' Council shall be responsible for conducting
the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Day Ceremony and Flag Day
Parade in the Town of South Hadley, and be responsible for such other
related duties as may be voted by the Selectboard. The Veterans' Council
may assume further duties and responsibilities as they may deem fit
with the advice and approval of the Town Administrator and Selectboard.
C. Officers.
(1) The officers
of the Council shall be: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. All officers
shall be elected annually by vote of the Council in public session
during the first meeting of the fiscal year. Council officers will
constitute the Executive Board of the Council. The Executive Board
shall be responsible for planning and organizing all Council meetings
and addressing any and all matters identified by the Veterans Service
Officer.
(2) Duties
of officers.
(a) Chair.
The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Council. The Chair
shall be responsible for preparing each meeting's agenda, providing
at least two weeks' advance notice to Council members of upcoming
meetings except in emergency circumstances, and posting all meeting
agendas in accordance with the Open Meeting Law (MGL c. 30A, § 20).
(b) Vice
Chair. The Vice Chair shall be responsible for performing the duties
of the Chair should the Chair not be available to prepare for and/or
preside at a meeting.
(c) Secretary. The
Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes at all meetings
and presenting draft minutes for approval at the Council's next meeting.
The Secretary shall arrange for posting of approved minutes on the Town's
web page for the Council. The Secretary shall be responsible for any
and all other correspondence required by the Council. The Secretary
shall be responsible for maintaining custody of all agendas and approved
minutes of Council meetings in accordance with the Public Records
Law (MGL c. 66, § 6).
D. Meetings.
The Council shall meet a minimum of four times annually. Additional
meetings may be called by the Chair, when required, in accordance
with the Open Meeting Law.
[Amended 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13]
The Selectboard and the members of the Planning Board shall
appoint an associate voting member in accordance with the provisions
of MGL c. 41, § 81A for filling a vacancy occurring in the
Board.
A Town Meeting Review Committee shall be appointed every five
years beginning in 2015. Said committee shall include the Town Moderator,
one representative each from the Selectboard, School Committee, Appropriations
Committee, Planning Board, three Town Meeting members and up to four
registered voters who are not Town Meeting members to be appointed
by the Selectboard. Said committee shall report its findings and recommendations
regarding ways and means to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies
of Town Meeting to the Selectboard within six months of its appointment
or such further time as the Selectboard may grant.
[Added 11-20-2019 STM by Art. 2]
A. Title and
purpose.
(1) The
name of this commission is the Commission on Disability (hereafter
referred to as the "Commission").
(2) The
purpose of the Commission is to coordinate or carry out programs in
coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability
in order to bring about full and equal participation in all aspects
of life in the Town of South Hadley for people with disabilities.
(3) The
purpose of these bylaws is to establish principles, policies and procedures
for the governance of this Commission.
B. Powers and
duties.
(1) Research,
understand, evaluate and advocate local issues, challenges and opportunities
encountered by people with disabilities.
(2) Coordinate
the activities of other local groups organized to meet the needs of
people with disabilities.
(3) Review
and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services and
activities of departments and agencies of the Town of South Hadley
as they affect people with disabilities.
(4) Work
in cooperation with the departments and agencies of the Town of South
Hadley to bring about maximum participation of people with disabilities.
(5) Initiate,
monitor, and promote legislation at the city, state and federal level
which advances the equal status of people with disabilities.
(6) Encourage
public awareness of disability issues.
(7) Provide
information and advice to individuals, businesses, organizations and
public agencies in all matters pertaining to disability.
(8) File
an annual report, which shall be printed in the Town report.
(9) Receive
gifts of property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town
subject to the approval of the Selectboard or Town Meeting as appropriate.
(10) Take
such action as the Commission considers appropriate to ensure the
equal access status of persons with disabilities.
C. Membership.
(1) The
Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Selectboard.
The majority of members shall consist of people with disabilities.
One of the members may be a member of the immediate family of a person
with a disability. One member shall be either an elected or appointed
official of the Town. The members shall initially serve the following
terms:
(a) Two
members shall serve one-year terms;
(b) Two
members shall serve two-year terms; and
(c) One
member shall serve three-year terms.
(2) After
the initial term, all members shall serve three-year terms.
(3) Resignation
shall be made by notifying the chairperson in writing and filing with
the Town Clerk.
(4) The
Selectboard shall fill any vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired
term in the same manner as an original appointment.
(5) No member
may act on his/her own without prior approval of the Commission.
D. Officers.
(1) The
officers shall include a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary.
(2) Officers
shall be elected annually by the majority vote of the Commission.
(3) Duties.
The chairperson shall: develop the agenda in coordination with the
other officers; preside over all meetings; appoint subcommittees as
needed; and authorize expenditures as needed. (The vice chairperson
shall perform all the functions of the chairperson in his/her absence.)
The secretary shall: keep records of all meetings attendance, minutes,
and correspondence; post notice of all meetings 48 hours before each
meeting at the Town Clerk's office.
E. Meetings.
(1) Regular
meetings shall be held at least six times a year.
(2) A quorum
shall consist of three members.
(3) This
Commission will operate in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
[Amended 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13]
A. Duties. The Sustainability and Energy Commission shall serve to provide
a forum to achieve high levels of energy efficiency, energy and natural
resource sustainability and guard against the effects of energy and
natural resource disruption/depletion and climate change in accordance
with the Town's Master Plan.
B. Membership. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed
by the Selectboard for three-year staggered terms.