[Adopted 4-7-2025 by Ch. No. 2072]
[Amended 1-12-2026 by Ch. No. 2083]
There is hereby established a Westerly Housing Committee whose purpose shall be to study senior housing, low- and moderate-income housing, and affordable housing within the Town of Westerly.
A. 
The Committee shall consist of five members, all who shall be voting members of the Committee:
(1) 
Five members of the general public appointed by the Town Council for a term of three years expiring on the last day of March. The terms shall be staggered so that appointments are made every year. Initial appointments will be two at three years, two at two years, and one at one year. Members shall serve without compensation.
(2) 
Any vacancy occurring on said Committee shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(3) 
Each member of the Committee shall be chosen for his or her demonstrated interest in preserving and/or promoting the development of senior housing, low- and moderate-income housing, and affordable housing while also maintaining the character of neighborhoods in the Town.
B. 
The Chairperson of the Westerly Housing Authority or his/her designee may be an ex officio member of the Committee.
(1) 
This member of the Committee shall not be a voting member.
For the purpose of conducting any official business, three members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
The members of the Committee shall elect by a majority vote of the total members of the Committee, officers consisting of a Chair, a Vice Chair and Secretary. An election of officers must take place any time a new member is appointed or a current member is reappointed.
The Committee shall serve in an advisory role only, shall report to the Planning Board and be responsible for the following:
A. 
Study and recommendations. The Committee shall conduct an ongoing study of the status of senior housing, low- and moderate-income housing, and affordable housing in the Town of Westerly and shall make periodic recommendations to the Planning Board regarding actions to be taken by the Town of Westerly to improve the quantity and quality of this type of housing in the Town.
B. 
Annual report and educational meeting. The Committee shall prepare a written annual report at the conclusion of the Town's fiscal year. The report shall set forth the state of senior housing, low- and moderate-income housing, and affordable housing in the Town, describing the activities and functions of the Committee for the previous year. The Committee Chair shall present this report, in person, to the Planning Board during a regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting, or special meeting, if the Planning Board so chooses. This presentation shall serve to provide information and education to the public regarding housing developments and related initiatives, including but not limited to senior housing, low- and moderate-income housing, and affordable housing.
C. 
Site identification. The Committee shall identify sites, both publicly and privately owned, that are appropriate for affordable housing development, which shall be transmitted to the Planning Board on a semi-annual basis with copies to the Town Council.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to take minutes of each meeting, be in charge of all correspondence and records of this Committee and be responsible for posting all notices of meetings of said Committee in accordance with RIGL 42-46-6(b) Open Meetings Act. The minutes of each meeting of the Committee shall be posted with the Secretary of State.