[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Suffield 4-30-1974; amended in its entirety 5-16-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-01 (Ch. 2, Art. II, Div. 4, of the 1987 Code). Subsequent
amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 12-19-2019]
There is hereby created in the Town a Social Services Commission
which shall consist of seven resident electors of the Town who shall
be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Members of the Social Services Commission shall serve for terms
of four years except that the initial term shall be as follows: four
members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve from the day
of their appointment until the first Monday of November 2004. The
remaining three members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve
from the day of their appointment until the first Monday of November
2006. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall be filled
for the unexpired portion of the term by the appointment of the Board
of Selectmen.
[Amended 12-19-2019]
The members of the Social Services Commission shall choose by
ballot a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary from among
its members. The Social Services Commission shall keep records of
its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the
Town in the manner required of other boards, commissions and agencies
of the Town.
[Amended 12-19-2019]
The members of the Social Services Commission shall serve without
compensation, but the necessary expenses of the Social Services Commission
shall be paid by the Town.
A. The Social Services Commission shall oversee the efforts of the Town
Social Worker, the Town Youth Services Director, the Minibus Coordinator
and the Senior Center Director.
B. In so doing, the Commission shall study the conditions and requirements
of the groups under its purview, analyze the services and programs
provided and available both by the Town and through other public and
private agencies, make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen concerning
more efficient operation and use of the various Town services under
its oversight, present proposed budgets for each of the areas within
its department to the Board of Selectmen and shall make the required
changes to those budgets for final submission by the Board of Selectmen
to the Board of Finance.
C. The Commission may also receive gifts in the name of the Town for
the use and benefit of the elderly, disabled and handicapped, senior
citizens and other groups in its area of responsibility.
D. The Commission may propose, initiate and organize programs and services
as the Commission believes necessary for the benefit of the Town in
the areas of its responsibility, subject to approval by the Board
of Selectmen and, as necessary, the Board of Finance and any other
Town boards and commissions, and when necessary, the Suffield Town
Meeting.