As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
DISCRIMINATION
Any difference in treatment based on race, color, religion, national
origin, ancestry or age, and shall include segregation, except that it shall
not be discrimination for any religious or denominational institution to prefer
members of its own religion or denomination.
There is hereby created in the office of the Supervisor a Commission
on Human Relations. It shall consist of fifteen (15) members, serving without
compensation, broadly representative of the religious, racial and ethnic and
age groups in the community, to be appointed with the approval of the Supervisor
with the advice and consent of the Town Board. One (1) of said members shall
be elected by the Commission as its Chairman, one (1) member as Vice Chairman
and one (1) member as Secretary. Of the fifteen (15) members first appointed,
five (5) shall be appointed for one (1) year, five (5) for two (2) years,
and five (5) for three (3) years; thereafter, each appointment to the Commission
shall be for a term of three (3) years. In the event of the death or resignation
of any member, his successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired
period of the term for which such member had been appointed.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to:
A. Foster mutual self-respect and understanding and to promote
amicable relations among all racial, religious and ethnic groups in the community.
B. Make such investigations and studies in any field of
human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will
aid in effectuating its general purposes.
C. Inquire into incidents of division and conflict based
upon discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry
or age and seek to correct the same by recommending to appropriate agencies,
either public or private, such actions as may be considered necessary or helpful
in eliminating such discrimination.
D. Conduct and recommend such educational and other programs
as, in the judgment of the Commission, will increase goodwill among inhabitants
of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life
for all inhabitants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin,
ancestry or age.
The Commission, after the completion of any public hearing, shall make
a public report in writing to the Supervisor, setting forth the facts found
by it and its recommendations and shall use its best efforts to bring about
compliance with its recommendations.
The service of all other town departments and agencies shall be made
available by their respective heads to the Commission at its request, and
information in the possession of any department or agency shall be furnished
to the Commission when it is requested. Whenever necessary and requested by
the Commission, the Town Attorney shall be made available to it to assist
in the conduct of its investigations and hearings.
The Commission shall, when requested, act in an advisory capacity to
and otherwise cooperate with the New York State Commission for Human Rights
wherever possible to effect compliance with state laws.
The Commission on Human Relations herein established shall hold at least
ten (10) regular meetings during each calendar year. In addition thereto,
special meetings may be held from time to time by notification of each member
of said Commission by the Chairman, or upon a written ten-day notice mailed
to each member, signed by at least five (5) members, and such notice shall
provide for a place and date of such special meeting.
A minimum of five (5) members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum
for the conduct of business before said Commission.
The Chairman of the Commission as herein provided shall appoint a Nominating
Committee consisting of three (3) Commission members in November 1 of each
year, for the purpose of nominating the officers of the Commission, including
the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. Said nominating Committee shall
report to the Commission as herein established at the December meeting of
said Commission, at which time such officers will be elected by a majority
vote of those members present. Each officer duly elected shall take his oath
of office at the first meeting of the Town Board in January. All officers
shall serve for a period of one (1) year, commencing January 1 and terminating
December 31 of each year.