The following are the bylaws governing the operation of the Common Council of the Borough of Frenchtown:
A.
The regular meeting shall be held on the first Thursday evening of every month, adjourned meetings at such time as the Common Council shall have adjourned to and special meetings whenever called by the Mayor or any three members of Council.
B.
The hour of the regular meeting shall be at 7:30 p.m. from the first of April to the first of October and at 6:30 p.m. for the remainder of the year, adjourned meetings at such hour as the Council shall have adjourned to and special meetings at such hour as the call shall specify.
C.
At the appointed time of meeting, the Mayor, or in his absence whoever those present shall choose as President Pro Tem, shall take the chair and call the Council to order, and the Clerk shall call the roll to ascertain if a quorum is present.
D.
The order of business shall be as follows:
(1)
Reading and correcting of the minutes.
(2)
Petitions, memorials, communications, etc.
(3)
Reports of standing and select committees in order of seniority of appointment.
(4)
Resolutions and motions and introduction of ordinances on first reading.
(5)
Ordinances on second reading.
(6)
Ordinances on third and last reading and the vote on final passage.
(7)
Deferred and unfinished business.
(8)
New business.
(9)
Adjournment.
E.
This order of business may be dispensed with by unanimous consent or by a vote of 2/3 present at any meeting.
F.
The Mayor shall, on all occasions, support the strictest order agreeable to these rules..
G.
No member shall interrupt the business of the Common Council by entering into private conversation during debate or whilst any business is before the Common Council that requires the general attention, and no person shall be permitted to enter into discussion with the members of Council during its session on any pretense whatever.
H.
No member shall speak on any debate without rising nor more than twice on any one subject of debate, unless he first obtain leave of the Common Council, and no motion shall be debated until the same shall be seconded.
I.
Any member that rises to speak shall address himself to the Mayor, and when any two members shall rise at the same time, the Mayor shall determine which shall speak first.
J.
When a motion shall be made and seconded, it shall, if desired by the Mayor, be reduced to writing and delivered to the Clerk, who shall read the same aloud before it shall be debated.
K.
L.
When a question has been once put and carried in affirmative or negative, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move for a reconsideration thereof, provided that the same is moved at the same meeting of the Council.
M.
All ordinances, bylaws, special resolutions, addresses, etc., shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the Clerk, and all writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by order of the Council shall be under his hand and seal and attested by the Clerk.
N.
If any member in debate transgresses the rules of the Council, the Mayor, specifying the point of order, shall, or any member may, call him to order, in which case the Mayor shall decide; and, if the objection be sustained, the member called to order shall immediately sit down, unless permitted to explain; the Council, if appealed to, shall decide on the case but without debate; if there is no appeal, the decision of the Mayor shall be submitted to; if the decision is in favor of the member called to order, he shall be at liberty to proceed; if otherwise, he shall not be at liberty to proceed without leave of Council.
O.
All papers addressed to the Common Council shall be presented by the Mayor or a member of the Council; a brief statement of the contents thereof shall be made by the person introducing the same, and if called upon he shall declare that it does not, in his opinion, contain any reproachful language or any expression of disrespect to the Council or any Committee of the same.
P.
When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Mayor and read aloud by the Clerk when it shall be deemed to be in the possession of the Council and open to debate, but it may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or an amendment.
Q.
The yeas and nays shall be entered on the journal on the passage of every ordinance or bylaw, and in taking the yeas and nays the names of the members, including the Mayor, shall be called.
R.
Every member who shall be present when the question is put shall give his vote, unless the Council for special reasons shall excuse him or he has particular interest in the question.
S.
All ordinances and bylaws shall be twice read before they are put on their final passage; but this rule may be suspended by a vote of 2/3 present.
T.
In all matters not herein specially provided for, the usual parliamentary rules shall govern the Council.