No Commissioner shall at the same time hold an elective or appointed
office under the United States government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, except that one
Commissioner may be a member of the appointing authority.
The Chairperson, or in his absence, the Vice-Chairperson, shall
preside at all meetings and hearings of the Commission, decide all
points of order or procedure and perform any duties required by law
or this chapter.
The Secretary shall carry on at the direction of the Commission
all official correspondence of the Commission, send out all notices
required by law and this chapter, keep a record of each examination
or other official action of the Commission, and perform all other
duties required by law or this chapter. In addition, the Secretary
shall have charge of and be responsible for the safekeeping of the
books, papers, and other property of the Commission.
Except for the biennial organization meeting, all meetings shall
be held either at the call of the Chairperson or at the call of two
Commissioners. The Commission shall have the discretion to determine
whether meetings shall be open to the public when not specifically
regulated by law or this chapter. The Secretary shall give each Commissioner
24 hours' notice in writing of each and every meeting of the
Commission.
The appointing authority shall furnish the Commission with such
supplies and clerical assistance as may be necessary for the Commission
to fulfill its duties. In addition, the Commission may retain counsel,
and any other consultants or experts, including physicians and psychiatrists,
as are necessary. The elected and appointed officials of the Township
shall assist the Commission with all reasonable and appropriate efforts
including compensation for any counsel or experts retained by the
Commission.
The Commission may amend, revise, void or replace this chapter
for any reason by action of a majority of the Commission at any properly
convened meeting of the Commission. Before any changes to this chapter
become effective, those changes must be approved by the appointing
authority. This chapter, and any amendments thereto, shall be made
available to the public for distribution or inspection.
The Commission shall have the power to make investigations concerning
all matters relating to the administration and enforcement of this
chapter. The Chairperson is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations
for witnesses testifying in connection with such investigations.
The Commission shall make an annual report to the appointing
authority containing a brief summary of its work during the year and
a full accounting for any expenditures of public monies. The annual
report shall be available for public inspection.