In this Charter no mention of a particular power shall be construed to be exclusive or to restrict the scope of the powers that the Town would have if the particular powers were not mentioned. The Charter shall be liberally construed to the end that the Town may have all the powers necessary or convenient for the conduct of its municipal affairs, including all powers the Town may assume pursuant to state laws and to the provisions of the State Constitution.
No person shall be appointed to or removed from, or in any way favored or discriminated against, or retaliated against for asserting their rights under law with respect to any Town of Ogunquit position or appointive role on a board based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation (including gender identity and expression), physical or mental disability, genetic information or history, veteran status, or status as whistleblower, or any other category protected under state and federal law or the Municipal Employees Handbook.
If any portion of this Charter shall be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
This Charter shall be known as the "Charter of the Town of Ogunquit." The Town Clerk shall cause the Charter to be printed and made available to the public within a reasonable time following its enactment.
Every officer and official of the Town shall, before entering upon the duties of office, take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, to be filed and kept in the office of the Town Clerk:
"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United States of America and of the State of Maine; that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and ordinances of the Town of Ogunquit and will faithfully discharge, to the best of my abilities, the duties of the office of __________."
All ordinances of the Town of Ogunquit in force at the time when this Charter takes effect not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter shall continue in force until amended or repealed. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, but only to the extent of such conflict.
All persons holding elective or administrative office at the time this Charter takes effect shall continue in office and in the performance of their duties until provisions shall have been made in accordance therewith for the performance of such duties or the discontinuation of such office.
Any subject matter not provided for by this Charter shall be controlled by the applicable state statute.
The Select Board shall convene a Charter Review Commission, in accordance with state law Title 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2103, every five years for the purpose of reviewing and recommending updates to this Charter. In the event a Commission shall have been convened within any five-year period, a new five-year period shall commence from the date of the dissolution of said Commission.
Any officer, official or employee who has any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with the Town or in the sale of any land, material, supplies or services to the Town or to a contractor supplying the Town, or special conflict of interest shall make known that interest and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in their capacity as an officer, official or employee in the making of such sale or in the making or performance of such contract. Any officer, official or employee who willfully conceals such a financial or special interest or willfully violates the requirement of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position and shall forfeit their office or position. Violation of this section with the knowledge, express or implied, of the person or corporation contracting with or making a sale to the Town shall render the contract or sale voidable by the Board.
Even if no personal financial or special conflict of interest exists, an officer, official or employee should avoid the appearance of a conflict by disclosing the facts underlying the potential conflict and, where appropriate, abstaining from voting on the matter or otherwise participating in their capacity in order to maintain the public's confidence. An appearance of a conflict exists when a reasonable person could conclude from the circumstances that participation would be perceived as inappropriate.
A MAJORITY VOTE
Describes the circumstance when a candidate or proposition receives more than half of the votes cast.
A PLURALITY VOTE
Describes the circumstance when a candidate or proposition polls more votes than any other but does not receive more than half of all votes cast.
ACTING TOWN MANAGER
Temporary appointment during the absence of the Town Manager to fulfill the duties of the Town Manager.
BOARD
Any board, committee, commission or task force.
DE FACTO MEMBER
A member of a board who remains in office beyond the normal term expiration waiting for a replacement to be appointed.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER
Select Board member.
MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL
Any appointed or elected board, committee, commission, or task force member.
PROPERTY OWNER
The owner of land or taxable parcel or real estate.
RESIDENT VOTER
A person who appears on the Town's voter registration rolls maintained by the office of the Town Clerk certifying eligibility to vote in the Town in local, state and national elections, having listed in such rolls the name and place of residence located within the border of the Town.
SPECIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Occurs when an individual's personal interests - family, friends, financial, or social factors - could unduly influence their judgment, decisions, or actions.
TOWN OF OGUNQUIT NATURAL RESOURCES
As defined in the Town of Ogunquit Comprehensive Plan.
VOTING RESIDENCE
The residence of a person is that place where the person has established a fixed and principal home to which the person, whenever temporarily absent, intends to return.