[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Fairhaven 8-8-2016. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Council on Aging — See Ch. 16.
The name of the organization shall be the "Fairhaven Council
on Aging," hereinafter referred to as the "Council," as established
by the Town Meeting of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, on March 31, 1966,
pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 8B.
A.
To identify the total needs of the elderly population of the community.
B.
To educate the community and enlist support and participation of
all citizens about their needs.
C.
To design, advocate and/or implement services to fill these needs,
or to coordinate existing services.
D.
To cooperate with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
and Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. (Area Agency on Aging) and to
be cognizant of state and federal legislation and programs regarding
elders.
The principal office of the Council is located at 229 Huttleston
Avenue, Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719.
The Council shall consist of seven regular members and four
alternate/associate members (who are appointed for a one-year term)
who shall vote for the nonattending regular seven members. Prospective
Council members shall be nominated by a majority of the existing members
of the Council for consideration by the Board of Selectmen. Council
membership shall reflect the makeup of the community-at-large and
shall be composed of at least 51% of persons 60 years of age or older.
Council members are appointed for a term of three years with
the option of being reappointed at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen.
Alternate/associate members may also be appointed to fill the unexpired
term of members whose positions are vacated. Council members may be
removed by the Board of Selectmen following a hearing. People in office
shall serve up to two successive terms in the same office's position.
There shall be at least a one-year hiatus prior to a previously elected
position held for two successive years.
All voting rights shall be vested in the members, and each individual
member shall be entitled to one vote with respect to any question
or matters that may come before a meeting of the Council.
A.
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held monthly on the second
Monday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at the Council office, unless otherwise
voted by the Board.
B.
Special meetings of the Council shall be called at any time at the
request of at least four members of the Council. Notice must be sent
to each member of the Council at least three business days prior to
the special meeting date, and the Town Clerk must be appropriately
notified at the same time.
C.
Annual meetings of the Council shall be held on the second Monday
of June at 9:30 a.m. after the regular meeting at the Council office
for the purpose of electing officers.
D.
At all meetings of the Council, the presence of a simple majority
of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business. Votes shall be cast only by voting members in attendance.
E.
Meetings shall be conducted with Roberts Rules of Order as a guide.
F.
Regular attendance is expected of all members. In the event of four
absences of regular scheduled meetings during any fiscal year - July
1 through June 30 - members shall be considered to have automatically
resigned and the Board of Selectmen will be notified. Exceptions are
meetings missed due to personal illness and agreed to by the Board
of Directors as acceptable absences.
A.
The officers of the Council on Aging Board shall consist of a Chairperson,
a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
B.
Officers of the Council shall be elected at the annual meeting of
the Council and shall take office at the end of the meeting.
C.
Elections of officers to fill vacancies may take place at any regular
or special meeting and shall be for the unexpired term of the previous
incumbent; however, the office of the Chairperson, if vacated, shall
be filled by the Vice Chairperson for the unexpired term of the Chairperson's
normal term of office. The position of Vice Chairperson will be filled
by election.
E.
The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Council
and subject to the direction of the Council. He/she shall be in charge
of the business affairs and property of the Council in its general
operations. He/she shall prepare an agenda, with the assistance of
the Director, preside at all meetings of the members, nominate all
committees and serve as an ex officio member of those committees.
F.
The Vice Chairperson shall exercise all functions of the Chairperson
during the latter's absence or disability, and when so acting,
shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions
of the Chairperson.
H.
The Treasurer shall see to it that:
(1)
There is supervision over and responsibility for funds, securities,
receipts and disbursements of the Council.
(2)
Books of accounts of all the business and financial transactions
of the Council are kept up to date.
(3)
Members receive a monthly statement of the financial condition of
the Council.
(4)
An annual budget is prepared.
Amendments of these bylaws may be considered at either a regular
or special meeting of the Council called for such purpose. Notification
of such meeting and its purpose shall be given at least 14 days prior
to assembly. Such notification shall contain the text of the proposed
amendment. The proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of
the Council members.
The Executive Director manages the day-to-day operation for
the purpose of coordinating or carrying out programs designed to meet
the needs of the aging in coordination with the Department of Elder
Affairs. As chief administrator, the Executive Director, who serves
as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors, is the principal
point of contact within the Senior Center and has the responsibility
for the overall management of its operations and programs. The Executive
Director initiates, recruits, supervises, and provides or delegates
resources, including authority to employ clerical or other assistants
subject to the authorization of Town government. The Executive Director
reports to the Town Administrator. An evaluation of a new employee
will take place every quarter for the first year, and annually thereafter.
Committees may be appointed by the Chairperson as the need arises
to conduct the business of the Council subject to the approval of
the Council.
The effective date of these bylaws shall be the date of that
meeting at which these bylaws shall have been approved by a majority
of members present. The date on which this approval was voted is June
11, 2013.
