[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Merrimac 10-21-2019 STM by Art. 8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There shall be a five- to thirteen-member commission on disability, known as the "Merrimac Commission on Disabilities" (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"). The purpose of the Commission is as stated in MGL c. 40, § 8J, to:
A. 
Research local problems of people with disabilities;
B. 
Advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities;
C. 
Coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability;
D. 
Review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of the Town of Merrimac as they affect people with disabilities;
E. 
Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability;
F. 
Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.
As required by MGL c. 40, § 8J, a majority of members of the Commission shall consist of people with disabilities, one member shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability, and one member of said Commission shall be either an elected or appointed official of the Town. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Select Board on a fiscal-year basis, for alternating three-year terms, in sufficient numbers so that at least two seats are up for appointment each fiscal year. A Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually by a majority of the Commission.
Members may be removed by the Select Board, and vacancies filled, in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 8J. The Commission may recommend to the Select Board that members absent from three regularly scheduled meetings in a fiscal year be removed, unless any or all absences have been excused for good cause by the Chair. "Good cause" for absences shall include, but not be limited to, illness, a death in the family, weather, or professional responsibility(ies).
The Commission may adopt procedures and policies governing the conduct of its business, consistent with any applicable state or local laws.
Subject to the approval of the Select Board, the Commission may receive gifts of property, both real and personal, in the Town's name, to be managed and controlled by the Commission for the purposes set forth in MGL c. 40, § 8J.
The Chair of the Commission or, in their absence the Vice Chair, is authorized to approve all bills, drafts, orders and payrolls chargeable to any monies budgeted and appropriated for the Commission's purposes; provided, however, that the member shall make available to the Commission, at the first meeting following such action, a record of such actions.