There shall be a Planning Board for the Town appointed by the Town Council, which shall have the duties and responsibilities provided for in state law and such additional duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed by the Town Council not in conflict with state law. The Planning Board shall consist of such number of members, not less than five, as the Town Council shall determine, each to be appointed for a five year term, said terms to be so arranged that as nearly as possible an equal number of terms shall expire each year. The Town Council may provide by ordinance for the organization of the board, compensation of its members, filling of vacancies, provision of technical assistance, and such other matters in relation to the operation of the board as the Council may deem appropriate.
There shall be a Conservation Commission for the Town, appointed by the Town Council, which shall have the purpose and functions of such commissions as set forth in state law, subject to the direction of the Town Council not inconsistent with state law. The Conservation Commission shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members as the Town Council shall determine, each to serve for a term of three years, said terms to be so arranged that as nearly as possible an equal number of terms shall expire each year. The Town Council may provide by ordinance for the organization of the board, filling of vacancies, provision of technical assistance, and such other matters in relation to the operation and work of the board as the Council may deem appropriate.
There shall be a Zoning Board of Review for the Town, appointed by the Town Council, which shall have the powers and responsibilities, and follow the procedures, as set forth in state law. The Town Council shall by ordinance make such rules and regulations relating to the operation of the board as are required of Town Councils by state law, or are not in conflict with state law. The Zoning Board of Review shall consist of five members, each to be appointed for a five year term, said terms to be so arranged that one term shall expire each year, and the Council shall also appoint such number of auxiliary members of said board of review as may be allowed by state law, who shall sit as active members when and if a member or members of said board are unable to serve at any hearing, upon request of the Chairman of said board. The Zoning Board of Review of the Town shall also serve as the Platting Board of Review, which shall hear appeals from decisions made pursuant to the platting and subdivision ordinances of the Town in the manner, following the procedures, and exercising the powers provided for such boards by state law.
There shall be an Historic District Commission for the Town which shall have the responsibility under applicable state law to carry out the provisions and purposes of the historic zoning ordinances of the Town, to receive and act upon applications filed by owners of property within historic districts in the Town, and to assume and discharge such other responsibilities as may be required of it by state law or the ordinances of the Town in conformity with state law. The Historic District Commission shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members, along with alternate members, as the Town Council shall determine, said members to be appointed by the First Warden, each to serve for a term of three years, said terms to be so arranged that as nearly as possible an equal number of terms shall expire each year.
There shall be a Library Board of Trustees appointed by the Town Council which shall have the duties and responsibilities provided for in state Law and such additional duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed by the Town Council not in conflict with state law, to exercise general administrative supervision of, and to make policy for, the library of the Town. The Library Board of Trustees shall consist of seven members, each to serve for a term of three years, said terms to be so arranged that as nearly as possible an equal number of terms shall expire each year.
There shall be a Block Island Land Trust established pursuant to Chapter 268 of the Public Laws of 1986 and any amendments added subsequently thereto, which shall be a body politic and corporate with the authority to acquire, hold, and manage property and exercise the other powers and functions as provided by law. The Trust shall be administered by five trustees elected for staggered four year terms, such terms to be so arranged that two trustees are elected at one town election and three at the subsequent town election. Vacancies shall be filled by the Town Council until the next town election. All trustees shall be electors of the Town, shall serve without compensation, and shall hold office until their successors have been chosen.
There shall be a Police Advisory Commission of five members, appointed by the Town Council, each to serve for a term of five years, said terms to be so arranged that one term expires each year. It shall be the responsibility of the commission to meet at least quarterly with the Chief of Police to discuss any challenges faced by the Department and community related to law enforcement and community issues, and to communicate regularly with the Town Manager and the Chief of Police relating to matters pertaining to the Police Department, on the commission’s own initiative or upon requests made of it for advice.
There may be a Public Facility Review Committee, appointed by the Town Council, to review building proposals of the Town of New Shoreham. The Public Facility Review Committee shall be responsible for review of design, purpose, needs and location of all proposed public facilities of the Town of New Shoreham.
There shall be a Board of Sewer Commissioners, appointed by the Town Council, which shall have the powers and responsibilities and follow the procedures, as set forth in state law, and the Town Charter and ordinances.
There shall be a Board of Water Commissioners appointed by the Town Council, which shall have the powers and responsibilities and follow the procedures as set forth in state law and the Town Charter and ordinances.
The Town Council shall have the power by ordinance to provide for the continuing existence under this Charter of any board or commission which was in existence at the time of the adoption of this Charter, but is not specifically provided for therein, and to create such additional boards or commissions as it may deem advisable for the welfare and good government of the Town. The Town Council shall also have the authority by ordinance to make such provisions applicable to all boards and commissions as it may deem appropriate, relating to their organization, personnel and operation, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter or of state law. All appointees to boards and commissions shall be electors and residents of the Town during their service thereon, provided however, that if in its judgment, the appointment of a person or persons who are not electors or residents of the Town is in the best interest of the Town, the Council may make individual exceptions in such cases.