City of Watertown, MA SUBCHAPTER IV Timing and Process of Appointments

§ 31.50 Expiration of terms.

[Ord. 46, passed 10-23-2007; amended Ord. O-2013-6, passed 1-22-2013]

(A) The terms of appointments to City boards, commissions, and committees (hereafter "City boards") expire as follows:

(1) Board of Health: First Monday in February;

(2) Zoning Board of Appeals: February 15;

(3) Planning Board: February 15;

(4) Conservation Commission: February 15;

(5) Licensing Board: February 15;

(6) Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee: February 15;

(7) Election Commission: April 1;

(8) Traffic Commission: May 15;

(9) Board of Assessors: May 15;

(10) Watertown Housing Authority: May 15;

(11) Council on Aging: May 15;

(12) Cultural Council: May 15;

(13) Cable Access Corporation: September 15;

(14) Historical Commission: October 1;

(15) Commission on Disability: November 1;

(16) Environment and Energy Efficiency: November 15;

(17) Historic District Commission: November 15;

(18) Recycling Advisory Board: November 15; and

(19) Stormwater Advisory Committee: July 15.

(B) All persons serving on a City board for a term of years at the time of enactment of this subchapter shall continue to serve on that City board until their terms would otherwise expire, and until their successors are qualified, unless otherwise terminated.

§ 31.51 Timing of appointments.

[Ord. 46, passed 10-23-2007]

(A) Appointments upon expiration of term.

(1) At least 90 days before the expiration of a City board member's term, the City Manager will notify the member in writing of the expiration date of his or her term and determine whether the member wishes, at the City Manager's discretion, to serve another term.

(2) Within seven business days of giving the notice required in division (A)(1), the City Manager will post the position. If the City Manager has determined that the current member wishes to serve another term, the posting will include that information.

(3) If the appointment requires confirmation by the City Council, the City Manager will transmit his or her appointment to the City Council at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the term.

(4) If the appointment does not require confirmation by the City Council, the City Manager will transmit to the City Council notice of his or her appointment prior to the expiration of the term.

(B) Appointments other than upon expiration of term.

(1) Vacancies on City boards occurring other than upon expiration of term, whether due to resignation, removal, or other cause, shall be filled by appointment by the City Manager for the unexpired term.

(2) Upon learning of a vacancy occurring other than upon expiration of term, the City Manager may either:

(a) Appoint a new member from among people who have previously applied and been interviewed for a position on a City Board; or

(b) Post the position.

(3) Preferably within 60 days, but not more than 90 days, after learning of a vacancy, the City Manager shall transmit to the City Council his or her appointment (if City Council confirmation is required) or notice of his or her appointment (if City Council confirmation is not required).

(C) Failure to make timely appointments.

(1) If, for any reason, the City Manager is unable to make an appointment within the time periods provided in this section, he or she will make a report to the City Council explaining the reasons for the delay and indicating the date by which he or she expects to make the appointment.

(2) Members of City boards who are willing to continue to serve after the expiration of their terms will serve until they are reappointed and qualified or their successors are appointed and qualified.

§ 31.52 Appointment process.

[Ord. 46, passed 10-23-2007]

(A) Annual listing. Not later than January 15 of each year, the City Clerk will prepare a list of all City board terms due to expire during that calendar year. The list will be transmitted to the City Council and City Manager, posted on the City bulletin board and City website, and published at least twice in the local newspaper.

(B) Posting of positions. All positions on City boards posted in accordance with this subchapter shall be posted for not less than 14 days on the City bulletin board and City website and published at least twice in the local newspaper. The posting shall contain a description of the position and duties and a list of necessary and desirable qualifications, and shall indicate whether the person currently holding the position wishes to serve another term. No appointment shall be made until at least 21 days have elapsed following the initial posting.

(C) Interviews. Except where the City Manager appoints a prior applicant under § 31.51(B)(2)(a), the City Manager or his or her designee shall interview no less than three candidates for each position on a City board. If there are fewer than three applicants, the City Manager or his or her designee shall interview all of the applicants.

(D) Confirmation by the City Council.

(1) For appointments requiring confirmation by the City Council, the City Council or a committee thereof must interview the appointee at a public meeting for which the posted agenda contains notice of the interview.

(2) A vote by the City Council on confirmation of an appointment must take place at a meeting for which the posted agenda contains notice of the vote.

(3) If the City Council fails to take any action on an appointment within 30 days following the date notice of the appointment is filed by the City Manager with the City Council, such appointment shall be deemed to have been confirmed.

§ 31.53 Effective date.

[Ord. 46, passed 10-23-2007]

This subchapter shall apply to all appointments upon expiration of term and other vacancies occurring after January 1, 2008.