The public shall be entitled access to all records and proceedings of all agencies of the Town government of West Greenwich, including but not limited to those of the Town Council, all boards and commissions, departments and offices, as the same are defined and set forth in State law pertaining to open records. The types of records to which the public is entitled access, and the times, places and conditions under which such access shall be made available shall be as provided in said Title 38, Chapter 2 of the Rhode Island General Laws as the same may be amended from time to time.
The public has a right to have the public business performed in an open and public manner and to be advised of and aware of the performance of public officials and the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. To these ends, the Town Council and all Town departments, agencies, commissions, committees, boards, and all subdivisions thereof, shall conduct all business in accordance with the provisions of the open meetings laws, Title 42, Chapter 46 of the Rhode Island General Laws, and as the same may be amended from time to time. The public shall have the right to attend all meetings of such Town public bodies, subject only to the limitations specifically allowed by said law.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
All public officials and employees of the Town of West Greenwich shall adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable, and responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and not use their position for private gain or advantage. Accordingly, members of the Town Council shall not be permitted to vote on any proposition that may, directly or indirectly, benefit the member. All elected and appointed officials of the Town, and all Town employees, shall be subject to and comply with the Code of Ethics laws as set forth in Title 36, Chapter 14 of the Rhode Island General Laws, and all rules, regulations and opinions promulgated by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission from time to time.
A. 
The Town Council may propose amendments or revisions to this Charter at any time, to be put to referendum of the electors of the Town at a general or special election pursuant to the provisions in Article XIII of the Constitution of the State. It shall not be necessary for the full text of Charter amendments be printed upon the ballot, however, the full text shall be available at the Town Hall. Any digest or description thereof or any question or statement which substantially expresses the purpose or identifies the subject matter to be voted upon shall be sufficient. Any digest or description of such amendment or revision shall be published by the Town Clerk no less than 30 days prior to the date of the referendum, and the Council shall schedule a public hearing thereon no less than 10 days prior to such date. Notice of any such hearing or hearings shall be given no less than seven days prior to the date they are scheduled to be held.
B. 
The electors of the Town may propose amendments or revisions to the Charter by petition filed with the Town Clerk for certification by the Board of Canvassers. The petition signed by the electors of the Town shall be equal to at least 15% of the number of persons registered to vote at the time of the last Town wide election. Upon certification, the Town Clerk shall present the Charter amendment along with the certified petition to the Town Council, who shall cause the amendment or amendments to be put to referendum of the electors as set forth in Subsection A above.
C. 
Commencing in April of the year 2000 and in that month no less often than every six years thereafter, the Council shall appoint a Charter Review Commission of no less than seven members as the Council deems appropriate, whose duty it shall be to review the Charter and recommend to the Council amendments or revisions to the Charter. The Council shall act with respect to any such recommended amendments or revision in accordance with the requirements of Subsection A of this section.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
The powers of the Town under this Charter shall be construed liberally in favor of the Town. If any article, section or provision of this Charter shall be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder thereof shall not be affected thereby.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
Any vacancy on a board or commission shall be filled by the Council for the balance of the unexpired term. Vacancies on boards and commissions shall be posted in the Town Hall, Library and the Town's website.
Any person shall be disqualified as a candidate for elective or appointive office in the Town, or from holding such office, if such person has been convicted or plead nolo contendere to a felony or if such person has been convicted of or plead nolo contendere to a misdemeanor resulting in a jail sentence of six months or more, either suspended or to be served. Such person shall not, once so convicted, attain or return to any office until three years after the date of completion of such sentence and of probation or parole.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
When in this Charter the Town Clerk or other Town official is required to publish the text of a proposal, document, public notice; publication shall mean to post it in the Town Hall and in one other prominent place in the Town, and, at a minimum, to post it on the Secretary of State's and Town's website.