[Ord. No. 81-1, § 1, 1-5-1981; Ord. No. 83-1, § 1, 2-28-1983; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009; Ord. No. 12-02, 5-7-2012]
There is hereby created a Commission on Aging and Persons with Disabilities of the Town. The Commission shall consist of five members who shall be appointed by the Town Council. All appointments to the Commission shall be for a term of three years. In the event of the death or resignation of any member of the Commission, a successor shall be appointed by the Town Council to serve the unexpired portion of the existing term. To the fullest possible extent, the Commission shall consist of equal representation of the following groups: those age 55 or older, persons with disabilities, and a cross-section of the general populace; all members must be residents of the Town. A member of the Town Council, a member of the Board of Education, the Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools or their representatives shall be members ex officio. The Commission shall elect its own chairperson from among its members, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses from their budgetary allotment.
[Ord. No. 81-1, § 2, 1-5-1981; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009; Ord. No. 12-02, 5-7-2012]
The Commission shall hold meetings at such regular intervals as it may designate. Any three members may, in writing, request the chairperson to call a special meeting in accordance with such a request. A quorum shall consist of three members and the approval of the majority of those present shall be required for approval of any action taken.
[Ord. No. 81-1, § 3, 1-5-1981; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
The Commission shall have the following purposes:
(1) 
To foster understanding, respect, and involvement of older adults and persons with disabilities.
(2) 
To encourage participation of older adults and persons with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
(3) 
To assure older adults and persons with disabilities equal access to Town resources, facilities, programs, and development through consultation and participation in planning and making recommendations for action.
(4) 
To continuously study and analyze the needs of older adults and persons with disabilities in order to ascertain, evaluate, and where appropriate, to propose innovative approaches to their changing needs.
(5) 
To study funding sources such as state, federal and other grants and make recommendations to the Town Council in areas of need that are important to older adults and persons with disabilities.
[Ord. No. 81-1, § 4, 1-5-1981; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
The Commission shall be charged with the following responsibilities:
(1) 
To receive and study the needs of older adult and persons with disabilities and to receive and refer complaints of discrimination to the proper agency having jurisdiction in the particular matter.
(2) 
To recommend to the Town Council such programs or ordinances as it may deem necessary to deal with existing or potential older adult or persons with disabilities problems.
(3) 
To submit to the Town Council annually or more frequently, as a Town Council may prescribe or the Commission may deem advisable, reports concerning the activities of the Commission.
[Ord. No. 81-1, § 5, 1-5-1981; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
For the purposes of this article, terms shall be defined as follows:
(1) 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES — Any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(2) 
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT —
(a) 
Any psychological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory, including speech organs, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin and endocrine; or
(b) 
Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
(3) 
MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES — Functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.
(4) 
OLDER ADULTS — Any person age 55 or older.
[Ord. No. 86-6, § 1, 5-5-1986; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
(a) 
In addition to the regular members, the Council shall appoint two alternate members to serve two-year terms coterminus with Council terms.
(b) 
Alternates when seated shall have all the powers of regular members. Alternates shall serve as near as possible in rotation.
[Ord. No. 86-6, § 1, 5-5-1986; Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all regular and alternate members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.
[Ord. No. 09-06, 8-3-2009]
If a member has five or more absences during any calendar year, said absences may be cause for removal from the Commission by the Town Council, at the recommendation of the chairperson. The Town Council shall have the authority to appoint a successor to serve the unexpired portion of the existing term.