[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
There is hereby established the Human Relations Advisory Commission (the "HRAC") of the Town of Westfield having the powers and duties hereinafter enumerated.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
The purpose and mission of the HRAC is to provide an egalitarian, welcoming, inclusive, safe, and productive community for the residents, local businesses, and visitors of the Town. It will do so by creating and fostering programming, both formal and informal, that will address conditions of bias, discrimination and prejudice by increasing our mutual understanding and respect of one another. The HRAC shall strive to:
(a)
Cultivate a community-wide environment that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind, as it undermines the dignity of every person involved;
(b)
Engage individuals, groups, and organizations to become active in such a vision;
(c)
Educate the community about the presence and dehumanizing impact of both discrimination and prejudice through formal and informal programming; and
(d)
Promote policies and practices that encourage equal opportunity for all.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
The HRAC shall consist of nine members plus two alternate members, who shall be designated at the times of their appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." All members of the HRAC shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Town Council. All members shall serve without compensation and must be residents of the Town. To the greatest extent possible, the ethnic composition of the HRAC shall be comparable to that of the Town. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification at that meeting of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. If a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first. The Mayor shall annually designate the Chairperson of said HRAC. The HRAC shall select a Vice Chairman and such other officers from its members as the HRAC may determine.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a)
All members of the HRAC shall serve for a term of three years, except that upon the original organization of the Commission, three members shall be appointed for a term of one year; three members for a term of two years and three members for a term of three years. Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for three years. Alternate members shall serve for a term of two years except that upon the original appointments, one alternate shall serve for one year and one alternate shall serve for two years. Thereafter, the term of each alternate shall be for two years. All members shall serve until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. The appointment of a member to an unexpired term shall be for the unexpired term of said member only. The Mayor or his/her designee, along with the Town Administrator, shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the HRAC.
(b)
One regular member of the HRAC shall be appointed annually by its members to serve as a liaison to the Mayor's Senior Advisory Council, for such time as that Council is active.
(c)
Any member of the HRAC may be removed by the Mayor and Council for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon, at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. In the event of a vacancy, whether for cause or by resignation, the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint another person to fill the unexpired term of such vacancy.
(d)
In addition, cause for removal may be found where a member is absent without prior notification to the Chairperson from three consecutive meetings or from 50% of the HRAC's regularly scheduled meetings for a year. The Chairperson shall report such absenteeism to the Mayor every six months or as requested.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a)
The HRAC shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Council of the Town of Westfield and shall attempt to foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation between the diverse inhabitants of the Town. The HRAC shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for the development of bylaws, policies, and procedures for the Commission in general. Additionally, the Commission shall recommend to the Mayor and Council formal and informal educational programs that will aid toward the elimination of all types of discrimination based upon, but not limited to, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetics.
(b)
The HRAC shall, in conjunction with and in cooperation with other Town departments and agencies, advise on the development of programs that will promote among residents the health, education, welfare, employment, economics, recreation, and the total prosperity of the diverse people of the Town.
(c)
The HRAC shall perform other reviews and assignments from time to time as may be requested by the Mayor and/or governing body of the Town.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a)
The Town Council may, but is not required to, annually appropriate funds for the use of the HRAC. The HRAC shall conduct its affairs and policies each year within the amount appropriated by the Town Council for such purposes and at no time shall expend more than the sum so appropriated.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a)
Regular meetings of the HRAC shall be held at the call of the Chairperson, provided that a meeting may also be called upon the written request of four regular members of the HRAC. At least two days' notice of any such meeting shall be given to all regular and alternate members unless such notice is waived in writing.
(b)
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the regular members of the HRAC except that in the absence of a regular member an alternate member may take the place of a regular member in establishing said quorum.
(c)
The HRAC shall make an annual report, in December, to the Mayor and Town Council of its activity, and shall make such recommendations periodically as may be necessary to carry out the Commission's purposes.