Town of Little Compton, RI Administration

Code of the Town of Little Compton;

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised;

Current list of Councilor's assignments;

Current list of Town officers and employees;

Current list of Town boards, committees and commissions, with terms of office.

May call a special meeting of the Council;

Shall call a special meeting of the Council at the written request of two Councilors;

Shall have the primary duty of Administration/Finance/Law ex officio.

Shall serve as the Local Emergency Management Agency Director, unless another is appointed by vote of the Council.

The Vice-President:

Shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President;

Shall have the duty of Administration/Finance/Law ex officio as assigned by the Council.

The Council shall elect officers at its first meeting upon the installation of all five members pursuant to a general election.

§ 2-1.3 Exercise of Powers.

[Ord. 3/4/93; Ord. 4/21/11; Ord. 2/23/17]

Powers of the Council may be exercised only by vote of a formal Council meeting.

A Councilor must be present at a meeting in order to vote.

Individual Councilors, including Council officers, may propose acts to the Council, but except for the calling of special meetings cannot individually bind the Council or the Town to actions, contracts or obligations of any kind without specific authorization by the Council.

The Council may delegate and assign to individual Councilors and to other persons the duties of implementing Council votes and conducting Town business.

Council meetings and records are subject to state laws including but not limited to the Open Meetings Law (Gen. Laws 42-46) and the Public Records Law (Gen. Law 38), which set forth certain grounds whereby a meeting or a record may be kept wholly or partly confidential for a certain period of time. The Solicitor shall advise the Council when it may lawfully take such action, and the Council shall clearly explain to the public the legal basis for any such action.

The Town Council President shall have the power in a declared emergency to procure the use of any municipally owned building without the need of a Memorandum of Understanding.

§ 2-1.4 Agenda and Notice.

[Ord. 3/4/93; Ord. 12/3/09]

The Clerk shall type and distribute the agenda.

The general form and order of the agenda shall be determined by the Council from time to time.

Any person wishing to bring matters before the Council may request, by written communication to the Town Council, that matters be entered on the agenda.

Written communications placed on the agenda shall be available for public inspection by any person upon request to the Clerk during regular business hours. Communications shall be stamped (date and time) upon receipt in the Clerk's office.

The deadline for inclusion of matters on the agenda for a regular Thursday Council meeting shall be 4:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the meeting, except when the Town Hall is closed on Monday, whereupon the deadline shall be moved up to 12:00 noon on the following day. However, bills to be paid shall be presented no later than 12:00 noon on the day of meeting.

A matter may be submitted at a Council meeting upon a unanimous vote of all Councilors present.

The Clerk shall prepare packets containing (i) the agenda and (ii) pertinent documents arranged in the agenda's order by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the Thursday meeting.

Copies of the packet shall be distributed to:

Councilors.

Town Solicitor.

Brownell Library.

Copies of the agenda shall be:

Posted at:

Town Hall, inside and outside.

Stores where permitted.

(1)

By police.

Distributed to:

Building Official.

Fire Department.

Planning Board.

Police Department.

Tax Assessors.

Town Treasurer.

Zoning Board of Review.

Mailed to:

State Representative.

State Senator.

Available to:

The public and the media, free of charge, at the Clerk's Office and at meetings.

§ 2-1.5 Meetings.

[Ord. 3/4/93]

Regular meetings of the Town Council shall be held on the first Thursday after the first Monday of each month, and two weeks later on Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. or at such other hours as the Council may designate; and if any such date shall occur on a legal holiday, the meeting for that week shall be held on such date as the Council may determine at the previous meeting.

The Clerk shall record by minutes all Council meetings except Open Forums.

The Town Solicitor shall be present at Council meetings as requested.

The President while occupying the Chair may make or second and vote on any motion and also may call a brief recess at any time without a vote.

Any resolution or ordinance containing more than one part or section, may be passed either part by part, or section by section, at the request of any Councilor.

Consent Calendar.

When the President determines that any item of business requires action by the Council but is of a routine and non-controversial nature, the President may cause such item to be presented as part of a Consent Calendar at a regular meeting of the Council.

The Consent Calendar shall be introduced by a motion "To approve the Consent Calendar" and shall be considered by the Council as a single item.

Each item on the Consent Calendar shall be accompanied by a brief description thereof and of the action proposed by the President.

There shall be no reading, debate or discussion by any member of the Council regarding any item on the Consent Calendar beyond asking questions for simple clarification.

On objection by any Councilor to inclusion of any item on the Consent Calendar, that item shall be removed from the Consent Calendar forthwith. Such objection may be recorded at any time prior to the vote on the motion to approve the Consent Calendar. Any item so objected to shall be considered elsewhere on the agenda as determined by the Council.

Approval of the motion to approve the Consent Calendar shall be fully equivalent to taking the proposed action on each item of business, exactly as if each had been acted on individually.

Open Forums.

The Council may schedule and hold informal open meetings with the citizens on a regular basis. Such meetings shall be known as Open Forums. Citizens are encouraged to attend Open Forums in order to resolve problems, questions, requests and suggestions, or just to say hello and get acquainted. Children are welcome at Open Forums.

At least two Councilors shall be present during an Open Forum. Councilors shall participate in Open Forums on a rotating basis.

§ 2-1.6 Assignment of Duties.

[Ord. 3/4/93]

The Council shall assign duties to the Councilors at the first meeting following the installation of all Councilors pursuant to a general election, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Council may reassign duties at any meeting.

§ 2-1.7 Citizens' Access to Government.

[Ord. 3/4/93; Ord. 9/7/06]

The Council shall notify the public of all vacant positions and expiring terms on Town boards, commissions and committees, and shall invite, receive and consider written applications from the public at a regular meeting following a regular meeting where such public notice was given.

Citizens are encouraged to contact Councilors for the purpose of resolving problems, questions, requests and suggestions, but only after making a good faith effort to resolve such matters with the appropriate Town officers and employees.

Citizens are encouraged to contact a Councilor whose assigned duties cover the citizen's problem, question, request or suggestion. However, citizens may freely contact any Councilor on any matter.

Pursuant to Section 413.E of the Charter, it shall be the responsibility of the Town Council to respond to any complaint from a qualified elector of the Town alleging a violation of any of the terms or provisions of the Charter, according to the following procedure:

Any qualified elector of the Town may file a sworn statement in the office of the Town Clerk specifying (1) the section or the sections of the Charter which are charged to have been violated, (2) the nature of the violation, and (3) the person, persons, or Town body charged with having committed the violation.

Upon the Town Clerk's determination that a sworn complaint filed by a qualified elector fulfills the provisions of Subsection 2-1.7d1 above, the Clerk shall schedule a public hearing before the Town Council, such hearing to be held not later than 30 days from the date on which the complaint was filed. If the Town Clerk determines that the sworn complaint does not fulfill the provisions of Subsection 2-1.7d1, he or she shall so notify the complainant in writing, providing the reason or reasons for dismissal.

At the public hearing, the Town Council shall receive testimony from the complainant and from the official, board, or commission, or the members of the official body, against whom or which the charges were made, and from such witnesses as either party may bring forward. Not later than 30 days from the date of the hearing, the Town Council shall issue a written finding in response to the complaint. The written finding shall include a determination whether or not the alleged violation of the Charter has been substantiated by the testimony and evidence presented. If the Council determines that the alleged violation of the Charter has been substantiated, the written finding shall also describe any measures the Council shall implement, under the authority of state law and the provisions of this Charter, to remedy any such violation.

Nothing in all this section shall prevent a qualified elector of the Town from pursuing any other recourse available under law to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the terms ad provisions of the Charter.

The Clerk shall maintain current notices concerning:

Names and phone numbers of Town Councilors, officers and employees; and

Councilor's assignment of duties.

§ 2-1.8 Limitations on Office Holding.

[Ord. 3/4/93]

Term of Office. Councilors shall be elected to serve for a term of two years, or until their successors are elected and qualified, whichever shall occur later.

No Dual Office Holding. No member of the Town Council of the Town of Little Compton, Rhode Island, shall hold other paid public office or employment in the service of the Town of Little Compton, Rhode Island, except that of notary public, justice of the peace, or volunteer fireman, and no member of the Council shall be eligible to hold any other paid local Town office during his or her tenure on the Council or for a period of one year thereafter.

§ 2-2 TOWN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. [1]

Editor's Note: See § 10-2 for Indemnification of Town Officers and Employees.

§ 2-2.1 Probate Judge.

Appointment; Requirements. No person shall be appointed or elected as Judge of Probate unless he shall have been admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law before the Supreme Court of this state, and shall have had at least five years experience in active practice of the law in the courts of this state.

[Ord. 4/20/72; Ord. 5/4/78]

Term; Salary of Judge. The term of office shall be a two year appointment and shall run from July 1 until June 30. The Judge shall be paid on a salary basis and the Town Clerk shall be designated as Clerk of the Court as provided by law. All fees collected shall be transmitted to the Town Treasurer to be deposited in the general funds of the Town.

[Ord. 1/8/77; Ord. 8/22/96]

§ 2-2.2 Town Clerk.

[Ord. 1/8/87]

Election. There shall be a Town Clerk who shall be elected at each general election for a term of two years and until his successor is elected and qualified.

Deputy Town Clerk. There shall be a Deputy Town Clerk appointed by the Town Clerk with approval of the Town Council. The Deputy Town Clerk shall have all the powers and perform all the duties which are granted to the office of Town Clerk.

Powers and Duties. The Town Clerk shall be the Clerk of the financial Town meeting, Clerk of the Town Council, Clerk of the Probate Court, and the Recorder of Deeds. It shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to:

Make a permanent record of all proceedings and certify by his signature all actions of the aforesaid bodies;

Be custodian of the Town seal and of the official documents and records of the Town;

Direct and supervise the recording of deeds, mortgages, vital statistics, licenses and permits and such other records as shall by ordinance and law be required to be kept by the Town Clerk;

Issue marriage licenses, burial permits and such other licenses and permits as are required by ordinance and law to be issued by Town Clerks;

Be responsible for receipt and distribution of all correspondence to the Town and maintenance of a central filing system for all Town boards, commissions, and committees;

Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law pertaining to Town Clerks, and such other duties appropriate to his office as the Town Council may require.

Salary and Fees. The Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk shall receive such annual salaries as shall be fixed by the financial Town meeting. All fees collected by either the Town Clerk or the Deputy Town Clerk shall be transmitted to the Town Treasurer and deposited in the general funds of the Town unless otherwise directed by the laws of the state.

Bonds. The Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk shall respectively within 15 days of the time of being sworn into office give bond to the Town Treasurer with sufficient surety in such sum as the Town Council shall prescribe for the faithful performance of the duties of said office, the cost of such bonds to be paid by the Town.

§ 2-2.3 Town Solicitor.

[Ord. 1/7/93]

There shall be a Town Solicitor appointed by the Town Council within 30 days following its election, to serve for a term of two years or until his/her successor is appointed. Any person so appointed shall be a member of the bar of the State of Rhode Island in good standing. He/she should have significant experience in municipal law including, but not limited to, labor arbitration, zoning, planning, land use, Town Meeting form of government, litigation in the District Court (the prosecution of misdemeanors such as driving while intoxicated, domestic assault, etc.), Family Court (juvenile prosecution), Superior Court (zoning appeals and other litigation), Supreme Court, and Federal Court.

The Town Solicitor need not devote full time to the duties of his/her office. He/she shall receive such compensation for his/her services as may be determined by the Council and the Financial Town Meeting. The Town Solicitor shall provide legal counsel to the Council and other Town boards, commissions, and departments on all legal matters. He/she shall appear for and protect the rights of the Town in all actions, suits or proceedings, civil or criminal, brought by or against the Town or for or against any of its officers, departments or agencies, and shall perform such other duties as the Council may require.

§ 2-2.4 Town Administrator. [1]

[Ord. 4/24/08; amended by Charter amendment approved by voters at election of November 4, 2014; Ord. 6/23/16; Ord. 8/23/18; Ord. 12/6/18]

Appointment. In conformance with Section 601 of the Town Charter, the Town Council may appoint a Town Administrator to assist it in the discharge of its duties. Prerequisites, compensation and benefits are to be as defined in the Charter.

Relationship to Town Government.

The Town Administrator shall supervise and coordinate the administrative activities of the Fire Chief, the chief of Police, the Assessor, the director of Public Works, and the Building Official, and, except for those responsibilities assigned by state statutes, the elected Treasurer and Town Clerk.

The Town Administrator shall supervise and coordinate the administrative activities of all Town boards and commissions.

The Town Administrator works for the Town Council, and is the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer of the Town. The Town Administrator reports on a regular basis to the Town Council President or a Council member designated by the Town Council President. In the absence of the Town Administrator, the Town Council shall appoint a temporary Town Administrator.

Responsibilities. The following responsibilities are included in the duties of the Town Administrator:

Executive support.

Attend all Town Council and other meetings as requested. Follow through on all actions required.

Develop required reports for Town Council approval to respond to external requirements.

Produce quarterly report of relevant state legislation, with issues and recommendations for Town Council consideration.

Develop and submit a monthly report to the Town Council that will include, without limitation, all matters of importance to the Town.

Procurement.

Review bills and report status at Town Council meeting.

Draft necessary specifications and requests for proposals required for services or purchases by the Town.

Monitor cost and schedule performance for contracted work, identify problem areas and potential solutions and produce regular status reports.

As requested, investigate and make recommendations on cost savings ideas such as combined procurements, shared services and regional initiatives. Implement as directed.

Monitor and report capital expenditures versus plan.

(f)

Oversee all information technology matters, including purchases, maintenance contracts, systems failures, and other emergencies.

Budgetary.

Coordinate development by department heads of annual proposed budget for Town Council consideration.

Review proposed budget to ensure compliance with state caps and reporting requirements. Prepare statements for Financial Town Meeting.

Work with Budget Committee to analyze year-end performance and audit reports. Identify trends and issues. Produce yearly report.

Prepare reports, to be generated by the Town Treasurer, for Town Council meetings showing budget status, year-end projections, problems and recommended solutions.

Conduct research to produce budget figures for cross-department items as: payroll withholding, healthcare, insurance, auditing, and waste disposal costs.

(f)

Work with Budget Committee and department heads, boards, and other appointed officials to maintain Capital Plan and Three- and Five-year Plans.

Grants.

Coordinate all grants entered into between the Town Council and federal or state agencies.

Maintain list of grants received by Town. As appropriate, ensure yearly preparation and approval of requests.

Routinely survey grants available and apply for new ones which support Town needs.

Negotiations.

Prepare all contracts and agreements to be entered into between the Town and other parties so that they may be voted on by the Town Council.

Prepare Town proposals to be submitted to the respective Unions after approval of the Town Council.

See that contracts are prepared for signature after sessions are complete.

In the event of arbitration, coordinate with the Solicitor to prepare necessary material to be submitted to the arbitrator.

Human resources management.

Manage and oversee human resources, support pension committee in administrative duties and acknowledge that all hiring authority remains with the Town Council.

Coordinate all arrangements with the department head involved in regard to the hiring of all new employees. Help department heads in administering any tests involved in the hiring process.

As requested, produce comparative analysis of salary and benefit trends. Make recommendations for cost reductions.

Work with Town and school departments to maintain centralized personnel database. Submit yearly for pension and OPEB calculations.

Track sick leave and vacation records. Ensure department data is being maintained.

Make recommendations to the Town Council as may be appropriate.

Terms of Employment.

The Town Administrator shall be given a contract of no less than three years nor more than five years, which shall be renewable. Such contract will allow for dismissal of the Town Administrator for cause, after notification and public hearing, if requested.

The position of Town Administrator is a full-time position with health care and pension benefits.

Editor's Note: A Charter Amendment approved at the election of November 4, 2014, changed the position of Business Manager to Town Administrator. See Charter Section 601.

§ 2-2.5 Town Tax Assessor. [1]

[Ord. No. 2/23/17]

Appointment. In conformance with Section 605 of the Town Charter, the Town Council may appoint a Town Tax Assessor in lieu of a Board of Tax Assessors. Qualifications are to be as defined in the Charter.

Responsibilities. The following responsibilities are included in the duties of the Town Tax Assessor.

Establishing assessed valuation for the purposes of taxation on all taxable real estate, tangible property, and motor vehicles.

Preparing a tax roll for the Town.

Conducting periodic revaluation of the Town.

Performing all duties defined for tax assessors in state law.

Relationship to Town Government.

The Tax Assessor works for the Town Council. The Tax Assessor reports on a regular basis to the Town Administrator, and takes direction from the Town Administrator as defined in the Tax Assessor's contract.

The Tax Assessor shall supervise and coordinate the administrative activities of the Tax Assessor's Clerk.

Terms of Employment.

The Tax Assessor shall be given a contract of no less than three years nor more than five years, which shall be renewable. Such contract will allow for dismissal of the Tax Assessor for cause, after notification and public hearing, if requested.

The position of Tax Assessor is a full-time or part-time position with health care and pension benefits, as defined in the request for proposals.

Editor's Note: A Charter Amendment approved at the election of November 8, 2016 allowed the Town Council to replace the Board of Tax Assessors with a single Tax Assessor. See Charter Section 605.

§ 2-2.6 Finance Director.

[Added 9-26-2019]

Requirements. Pursuant to Section 603 of the Little Compton Home Rule Charter, there shall be a Finance Director, appointed by the Town Council upon recommendation of the Town Administrator. The Finance Director shall have and exercise all the powers and duties now and hereafter vested by law, charter, and ordinance in the office of Town Treasurer. The Finance Director shall have charge of the administration of the financial affairs of the Town and shall have and exercise all the powers and duties vested by and enumerated in this section.

The Finance Director will report to and be under the general supervision of the Town Administrator. The Town Council may designate the Town Administrator as Finance Director. By approval of the Town Council, the Finance Director may serve in the capacity of Town Treasurer and one or more of the following positions: Tax Collector, Tax Assessor, and Purchasing Agent.

Qualifications: The Finance Director shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Town and shall have such training and experience in accounting, budgeting or management, either in public or private business, to meet the needs of the position.

Compensation: The Finance Director shall receive such annual compensation as may be recommended by the Town Administrator, set by a vote of the Council, and ratified by vote of the Financial Town Meeting.

If a vacancy shall occur in the position of Finance Director, the Town Administrator shall recommend to the Council an interim Finance Director, to be appointed from among those holding another Town office or position. The interim Finance Director shall assume the powers and duties of that office until such time as the Council shall appoint a successor.

Powers and duties:

Cooperate with the Council, the Town Administrator, the Town Clerk, and the Budget Committee in compiling the expenditure and revenue estimates for the budget.

Receive all fees, rents, funds, money receivable by the Town from the state or federal government, the courts and any department, office or agency of the Town, except as otherwise provided in this section or by law.

Have custody of all public funds belonging to or under the control of the Town or any department, office or agency of the Town and deposit all funds coming into the Finance Director in such depositories as may be designated by the Council, or, if no such designation shall be made, in such depositories as may be chosen; provided, however, that deposits in such depository are insured by an agency of the United States. All interest received on deposits shall be the property of the Town and shall be accounted for and credited to the proper accounts.

Have custody of all investments and invested funds of the Town or in the possession of the Town in a fiduciary capacity, and have the safekeeping of all bonds and notes of the Town and the receipt and delivery of Town bonds and notes for transfer, registration or exchange.

Exercise control over all expenditures by reviewing all bills, invoices, payrolls, or other evidences of claims or charges against the Town, and verifying that budget appropriations are not exceeded by disbursements in any department, office or agency of the Town.

Disbursement of funds by check or electronic funds transfer, such disbursements being made only after compliance with the provisions of this section and authorization by the Council.

Prescribe and maintain an accounting system for the Town and adopt and require standard accounting procedures for all departments, offices and agencies of the Town, which accounts shall include the amounts of all appropriations, and the amounts paid from each, and show in reasonable detail the person to whom and the purpose for which the payments were made, the unpaid obligations against each and the unencumbered balance.

Prescribe uniform forms of receipts, vouchers, bills and claims to be used by all departments, offices and agencies of the Town.

Prepare a monthly statement of all receipts and disbursements in such detail as the Council may require.

10.

Prepare at the close of each fiscal year a complete financial statement and report in accordance with state law for submission to the Town auditors and the Council.

11.

Oversee purchasing for the Town pursuant to Section 506 of the Charter and Rules and Regulations established by ordinance.

12.

Cooperate with the Town Administrator in maintaining a current inventory of Town assets.

13.

The Finance Director shall have primary responsibility for human resources and personnel administration within the Town, provided that such duties may alternatively be delegated by the Town Council to the Town Administrator or to another established position within the Town. Such human resources duties and powers shall include, but not be limited to, coordination and administration of all programs and activities of the Town personnel system; Affirmative Action Officer; Compliance Officer for implementation of special rules regarding employees with disabilities; and assistant to the Pension Committee in administration of the Town Pension Plan.

14.

Perform such other duties as the Town Council shall determine by ordinance.

Deputy Town Treasurer. There may be a Deputy Town Treasurer appointed by the Council upon recommendation of the Finance Director. The Deputy Treasurer shall have all the powers and perform all the duties which are granted to the office of Town Treasurer by resolution, ordinance or law in the Treasurer's absence, with the exception of administrative responsibilities. In no event shall the Deputy Treasurer have the power to sign the bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Town except at the direction of the Council.

§ 2-2.7 Tax Collector.

[Added 9-26-2019]

Requirements. There shall be a position of Tax Collector, who shall be appointed by the Council by recommendation of the Town Administrator.

Powers and duties. The powers and duties of the Tax Collector shall include but not be limited to:

Collect and receive all taxes and special assessments for the collection of which the Town is responsible, and shall have all the rights, powers and duties prescribed by the laws of the state and by the Charter and ordinances of the Town.

Conduct tax sales in accordance with Rhode Island General Law.

§ 2-3 PLANNING BOARD.

§ 2-3.1 Planning Board Established.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 1]

In accordance with Title 45, Chapter 22 of the General Laws of Rhode Island as amended, there is hereby established a Planning Board for the Town of Little Compton.

§ 2-3.2 Membership.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 2; Ord. 3/21/74; Ord. 3/28/83, § 1]

The Planning Board shall consist of nine members resident of the Town of Little Compton. Appointments shall be made by the Town Council for terms of four years, with no more than three terms to expire each year. A vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any Planning Board member may be removed by the Town Council for due cause following a public hearing.

§ 2-3.3 Compensation.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 3]

Members of the Planning Board shall serve without compensation. The Planning Board members may be reimbursed within the limitations of funds appropriated for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

§ 2-3.4 Organization of the Planning Board.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 4]

The Planning Board shall organize annually by electing a chairman, vice chairman and a secretary. The Planning Board may adopt by-laws for the performance of the duties prescribed in this section.

§ 2-3.5 Technical Assistance.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 5]

Within the limits of the funds appropriated for its use, the Planning Board may engage technical or clerical assistance to aid in the discharge of its duties. The Planning Board may, subject to the approval of the Town Council and within the limits of funds appropriated to it, enter into cooperative agreements with private, state, regional or federal agencies or other cities or towns for technical assistance and studies deemed to be in the best interest of the community.

§ 2-3.6 Duties of the Planning Board.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 6]

The Planning Board shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the future development of the Town of Little Compton. Such plan shall, among other things, show the general arrangement of and goals, objectives, and standards for land use, transportation routes and facilities, public facilities and services, renewal or rehabilitation programs, housing programs, conservation areas, historic preservation areas and environmental protection programs, together with recommended programs of action and improvement deemed necessary to implement the features of the plan. The Planning Board may hold public hearings on the comprehensive plan or elements thereof and shall adopt this plan or elements as a guide to planning board actions related to the features contained in the plan. The Town Council may, following a public hearing, adopt a comprehensive plan or any portion thereof previously adopted by the Planning Board and recommended to the Town Council by the Planning Board. Adoption of such a comprehensive plan or portion thereof by the Town Council shall bind said Council to this plan or portion thereof in any future action related to features in the plan. The adopted comprehensive plan or any element thereof may be modified or amended by the Town Council following a public hearing. At least 30 days prior to the date of public hearing said modification or amendment shall be referred to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion. Failure of the Planning Board to forward a recommendation to the Town Council within this thirty-day period shall be deemed an approval of the modification or amendment by the Planning Board. The affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the Town Council shall be necessary to enact any modification or amendment to the comprehensive plan or element thereof where the Planning Board has rendered an adverse decision. At intervals of no greater than five years, the Planning Board shall review said comprehensive plan or elements thereof and make any modifications, amendments or additions deemed necessary in the light of current and projected community development trends and needs. Any such modifications shall be recommended to the Town Council and adopted in the manner prescribed above.

The Planning Board shall make studies of the resources and needs of the Town with reference to its physical, economic, and social growth and development as affecting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people. Such studies, plans and reports may concern, among other things, the following:

Land use and land use regulations.

Transportation facilities.

Public utilities.

Public facilities and site locations including recreation areas, schools, fire, police and other principal structures and developments.

Blighted areas including plans for redevelopment, renewal, rehabilitation or conservation.

Problems of housing and the development of housing programs.

Natural resource conservation.

Environmental protection.

Protection from disaster.

10.

Economic and sociological characteristics.

11.

Preservation of historic sites and buildings.

12.

Economic development.

When directed by the Town Council, the Planning Board shall prepare an annual capital budget and a comprehensive six year capital improvements program.

The Planning Board shall submit an advisory opinion and recommendation on all zoning matters referred to it or any other matter referred to it by the Town Council.

The Planning Board shall have the authority to call upon other departments, boards, and committees of the Town of Little Compton and upon regional, state and federal agencies for assistance in the performance of its designated functions and shall cooperate with such city or town, regional, state and federal agencies on matters of community, regional and state planning.

The Planning Board shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned to said board from time to time by any act of the general assembly or by any ordinance, code, regulation, order or resolution of the Town Council.

§ 2-3.7 Reports.

[Ord. No. 8/23/73, § 7]

The Planning Board shall submit an annual report to the Town Council summarizing the work of the preceding year and recommending programs, plans and actions for future development before March 1. A copy of the annual report shall be forwarded to the Rhode Island Department of Community Affairs. All studies, plans, and reports of the Planning Board shall be submitted to the Town Council and to any other designated agency or official and thereafter, upon approval of the Town Council may be published for general distribution.

§ 2-4 CONSERVATION COMMISSION.

§ 2-4.1 Creation, Purpose.

[Ord. 5/6/71]

There is hereby created a commission, to be called the Conservation Commission, the purpose of which is to promote and develop the natural resources, to protect the watershed resources, and to preserve natural esthetic areas within the Town of Little Compton. Such Commission shall conduct researches into local land areas and shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes. It may recommend to the Town Council a program for the better development, utilization, or preservation of open areas, streams, shores, wooded areas, roadsides, swamps, marshlands, and natural esthetic areas. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions, and shall file an annual report with the Town Council.

§ 2-4.2 Members; Term; Election of Officers; Vacancy.

[Ord. 5/6/71; amended by Charter amendment approved by the voters at the election of November 4, 2014.]

The Commission shall consist of five members, four appointed by the Town Council for three year terms, with said terms so arranged that the term of one member shall expire in one year, the term of the second in the second year, and the terms of the third and fourth members in the third year. Duly incorporated and existing wildlife, conservation, sportsmen's horticultural, or like organizations may present to the appointing authority a list of qualified citizens from which lists the appointing authority may select the four Commission members. Terms of members shall end on the last day of January. The Commission shall also include ex officio the chairperson of the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust or his or her member designee. At the first meeting of the Commission, the members shall elect a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary, and shall organize such subcommittees as they shall deem necessary for the performance of their duties. In the event of a vacancy, interim appointments may be made by the appointing authority to complete the unexpired term of such position.

§ 2-4.3 Meeting Open to Public.

[Ord. 5/6/71]

All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, and any person or his duly constituted representative shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any matter before the Commission before it reaches its decision. All records of its proceedings, resolutions, and actions shall be open to public view.

§ 2-4.4 Notification of the Board Required on Any Matter Concerning Natural Resources.

[Ord. 5/6/71]

To effectuate coordination of related endeavors, the Town Planning Board, Zoning Board of Review, and any other board, commission or agency concerned with resource use shall notify the Conservation Commission of any proposals concerning natural resources made by or to any of them.

§ 2-5 LITTLE COMPTON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

§ 2-5.1 Trustees.

[Ord. 4/7/94]

The Little Compton Free Public Library shall be governed by a Board consisting of five trustees appointed by the Town Council. Terms of the Trustees shall be for three years with no more than two terms to expire each year on October 15. The Trustees will elect a Chairman and other officers that they deem necessary. Trustees shall serve without compensation.

§ 2-6 PURCHASING PROCEDURE.

§ 2-6.1 Requirements.

[Ord. 2/4/93; Ord. 4/7/94; Ord. 1/7/99]

The purchasing procedures shall require that all purchases and contracts executed on behalf of the Town in excess of $1,000 be made pursuant to a written requisition from the head of the office, department or agency whose appropriation will be charged and no contract or order shall be issued until the Treasurer shall have certified that there is sufficient appropriation balance as of last posting to the credit of such office, department or agency to pay for the supplies, material, equipment or contractual services for which the contract or order is to be issued. The Council shall not authorize final payment in any such instance until it is satisfied that proper procedures have been followed and payment is in order.

All expenditures of Town funds for any one item, order, or specific job, in an amount exceeding $5,000, shall be the result of:

Competitive sealed bidding.

Competitive negotiations.

Non-competitive negotiations as set forth in 45-55 of the General Laws of R.I.

All purchases for amounts between $1,000 and $5,000 shall be made on the basis of the solicitation of three telephone or verbal request bids, a written record of which shall be forwarded to the Purchasing Agent.

§ 2-6.2 Bids from Little Compton Persons, Firms or Corporations.

[Ord. 2/4/93; Ord. 4/7/94; Ord. 1/7/99]

In the event that a Little Compton person, firm, or corporation should submit a bid for an item as defined in Subsection 2-6.1, and the said local person, firm, or corporation should not be the low bidder, if the said local person, firm, or corporation makes a bid within 5% of the low bid, said 5% being based upon the total amount of the bid provided it not exceed $500 above the low bid, the Town Council may, if all other things are equal, award the bid to the local person, firm, or corporation.

§ 2-6.3 Exception.

[Ord. 2/4/93; Ord. 4/7/94; Ord. 1/7/99]

The provisions of Subsections 2-6.1 and 2-6.2 of this section need not apply to professional engineering/architectural services.

§ 2-6.4 Purchasing Agent.

[Ord. 2/4/93; Ord. 4/7/94; Ord. 1/7/99]

The Town Council shall be the Purchasing Agent for the Town.

§ 2-6.5 Emergency Procurements.

[Ord. 2/4/93; Ord. 4/7/94; Ord. 1/7/99]

Where there exists a threat to public health, welfare, or safety the Town Council may make or authorize others to make emergency procurements.

§ 2-7 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS.

[Ord. 5/5/83; Ord. 4/7/94]

Unless otherwise provided for in the Code of the Town of Little Compton, or in the General Laws of Rhode Island, meetings of all officially constituted boards, commissions, and committees shall be governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

§ 2-8 SMOKING IN TOWN BUILDINGS.

[Ord. 4/7/94]

There shall be no smoking in any Town building that is under the control of the Town Council.

§ 2-9 LITTLE COMPTON HOUSING TRUST.

§ 2-9.1 Authorization and Purpose.

[Ord. 5/19/05]

There is hereby authorized a nonprofit corporation (to be duly incorporated by the Rhode Island Secretary of State), to be called the Little Compton Housing Trust (hereinafter Housing Trust), the purpose of which is to serve as an advocacy group for any person or group desiring to address the problem of housing affordability or housing for the elderly, those with special needs and families of low and moderate income. The Housing Trust shall generally oversee the implementation of the Affordable Housing Plan of the community, shall monitor long term housing affordability for the community, and advise the Town of Little Compton in its efforts and support the Town's goal of diversifying the housing stock. The Housing Trust shall also advise the Town in its amendment of the Affordable Housing Plan.

§ 2-9.2 Authority and Bylaws. [1]

[Ord. 5/19/05]

The Housing Trust shall have the authority to receive state and federal grant money, contract with housing agencies such as Rhode Island Housing and Church Community Housing Corporation, contract for consultant services, and establish a Housing Trust Fund for the community. The Housing Trust shall also have the authority to receive real estate, by any manner including grant, gift, bequest or purchase, and to convey or lease real estate and/or buildings, so long as such conveyances shall be in keeping with the purposes of the Housing Trust. The Housing Trust shall be governed by a Board of Directors (also known as Board of Trustees) which shall adopt Bylaws governing the conduct of the affairs of the Housing Trust, provided that such Bylaws and any subsequent amendment thereto shall be subject to the approval of the Town Council.