[Adopted 9-12-1972 (Secs. 10-1 through 10-8 of the 1972 Code)]
[Amended 9-10-2013]
In order to foster mutual understanding and respect among people and to encourage equality of treatment of all people, regardless of race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, civil union status, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, genetic information, age, economic status, lawful source of income, national origin or ancestry, or present or past history of physical, mental, intellectual or learning disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, a Human Rights Commission is hereby established. The Commission shall consist of nine members, who shall be appointed by the Town Council. At the expiration of each term of present members of the Commission, each subsequent appointment shall be for a term of three years.
The members of the Commission established by this article shall serve without compensation, but their necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their actual duties shall be paid by the Town within the limits of any appropriation made therefor.
The Commission established by this article shall choose a Chair and Secretary from its members.
Meetings of the Commission established by this article shall be held at least quarterannually and at such other times as the Commission may determine.
The Commission established by this article may appoint and remove any secretarial and clerical assistants as it may need for the performance of its duties within appropriations made by the Town Council.
The Commission established by this article shall cooperate with governmental and nongovernmental agencies and organizations having like or kindred functions as it deems necessary or desirable.
The Commission may undertake educational programs to promote its goals and may conduct hearings and make recommendations and conduct other appropriate activities in furtherance of its goals.
The Commission established by this article shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall, no less often than annually, apprise the Council of its activities, progress and recommendations as to the need for implementation of local human rights programs.