There shall be a Zoning Board of Review whose organization, powers and duties shall be defined by ordinance. The Zoning Board of Review shall be appointed by the Town Council and shall consist of five members, each to hold office for the term of five years; provided, however, that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively. The Zoning Board of Review shall also include two alternates, to be designated as the first and second alternate members, their terms to be for five years. Zoning Board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
At least every five years, the Planning Board shall review the Zoning Ordinance and Map to determine whether any changes are necessary, and to investigate and make recommendations, for any proposed amendments of said Ordinance and Map, deemed necessary. (§ 260-2)
There shall be a Zoning Official, who shall be appointed by the Town Manager, and who shall report to the Town Manager. The Zoning Official shall be responsible for zoning determinations, conducting investigations to ascertain compliance with Zoning Ordinances and to recommend actions to enforce the same to the Town Manager.
There shall be a Property Maintenance Code Official, who shall be appointed by the Town Manager, and who shall report to the Town Manager. The Property Maintenance Code Official shall review all concerns raised by individuals and the public relating to the condition and habitability of buildings and structures used for human habitation. He shall have the authority to conduct investigations and inspections to ascertain compliance with the State of Rhode Island Property Maintenance Code and such other statutes and ordinances establishing minimum conditions permitting habitability and to recommend actions to enforce the same to the Town Manager.
There shall be a Building Official and such other inspectors as may be required, who shall be appointed by the Town Manager, and who shall report to the Town Manager. The Building Official shall review all concerns raised by town officials and the public relating to the compliance of buildings and structures and accessory uses, whether residential or otherwise, with the statutes of the State of Rhode Island, codes and ordinances of the Town of Westerly and, whenever necessary, to recommend actions to enforce the same to the Town Manager. It shall be the duty of the Building Official to:
(a)
Issue all building and other such permits in accordance with ordinances passed by the Council.
(b)
Maintain a record of all business transacted by him in the course of his duties and to turn over to the Director of Finance forthwith all fees collected by said office.
(c)
Act as the Fence Viewer for the Town.
(d)
Have charge of the enforcement of building and such other ordinance relating thereto as may be ordained by the Council and to institute legal proceedings, both civil and criminal on behalf of the Town for violation of building, plumbing, drainage, electrical, and other similar ordinances or until such time as other inspectors are established by ordinance.