[Adopted 3-16-1936 (Art. III, § 2, of the General Bylaws)]
[Amended 5-30-1975]
At the first Annual Town Meeting following the date on which this bylaw becomes effective, the Moderator shall appoint after final adjournment thereof a committee to be known as the "Advisory Committee" consisting of nine citizens, none of whom shall hold any office, either elective or appointive, other than membership on this Committee and the Capital Outlay Committee. Upon the election or appointment of any member of this Committee to any other Town office, their membership on this Committee shall cease.
[Amended 9-15-1981; 5-13-2009; 5-10-2011]
The term of Advisory Committee members shall commence on the first day of the fiscal year following adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting and shall cease on the last day of the fiscal year three years later. Said Committee to be appointed as follows: three members for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years, and three members for a term of three years, and before the final adjournment of each Annual Town Meeting thereafter, the Moderator shall appoint their successors for a term of three years and shall also fill any vacancy which may occur in its membership. Furthermore, for all Town Meetings, recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be available at Town Hall and the Norfolk Public Library, and a copy of the recommendations shall be posted on the Town's website not less than five days, or 10 days in the case of a Special Town Meeting, before the day appointed for same.
[Amended 5-2009]
To this Committee shall be referred all articles involving the appropriation or expenditure of money and to it may be referred any other article in any Town warrant issued during its term of office; and it shall be the duty of the said Advisory Committee, after due consideration of the subject matter of such articles as are referred to it, to report, in writing, such recommendation as it shall deem for the best interests of the Town. Furthermore, for all Town Meetings, a copy of the warrant and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be delivered to each residence prior to Town Meeting.
The Committee shall organize by choosing a Chairperson and a Clerk, who shall cause to be kept a true record of all its proceedings.
The Select Board, with the approval of the Chair of the Advisory Committee, shall provide a suitable place in which to hold its meetings, and the Committee shall hold such meetings as it may find necessary for the purpose of affording opportunity to those interested in the various articles to be heard.
Said Advisory Committee may require the various officers and boards of the Town to meet with it at such time and place said Committee shall appoint for the purpose of information and consultation upon matters referred to it, and it shall be the duty of said officers and boards to so meet the Committee; provided, however, any information may be withheld when, in the opinion of said officers or boards, the communication thereof might injuriously affect the interest of the Town.