[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill 7-22-1993.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
There is hereby created a Commission of Human Rights
for the Town of Wallkill, consisting of 11 members to be appointed by the
Supervisor, with the approval of the Town Board. The Commission will run concurrent
with the Town Board.
B.
All members of the Commission shall be residents of the
Town of Wallkill, New York, and be appointed by the Supervisor of the Town
of Wallkill, and each such appointment shall be subject to ratification by
the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill. Any member chosen to fill a vacancy
occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the
unexpired term of the member whom he or she is to succeed.
C.
Two-thirds of the existing members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof.
D.
The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission
shall be appointed by the Supervisor and approved by the Town Board. The term
of office of each of them shall be for the term of the Town Board.
Said Commission shall have all of the powers, duties and obligations
established and provided for such commissions by Article 12-D of the General
Municipal Law and all acts amendatory thereof.
The general duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
A.
To foster mutual respect and understanding among all
persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap
in the community.
B.
To encourage such 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.
To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among
or between various groups, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex,
age and handicap, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate
such tensions and conflict.
D.
To encourage and recommend such educational 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.
The general obligations of the Commission shall be as follows:
A.
To receive complaints of alleged discrimination because
of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap; to seek the active
assistance of the State Commission for Human Rights in the solution of complaints
which fall within the jurisdiction of the State Commission or County Commission;
and to prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints, with a view
to reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process
of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
B.
To hold conferences and other public meetings in the
interest of the constructive resolution of problems regarding race, color,
creed, religion, sex, age and handicap and the prejudice and discrimination
occasioned thereby.
C.
To issue such publications and reports of investigation
as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
D.
To enlist the cooperation and participation of the various
groups regarding race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap, including
community organizations, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication,
fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups, in an educational
campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the mutual esteem,
justice and understanding.
E.
To encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction
of the governing board which created the Commission to take such action as
will fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
F.
To submit an annual report to the governing board.
G.
A spokesperson for the Commission shall be the Chairperson
or whoever is designated by the Chairperson.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Town of Wallkill is authorized
to adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and affairs
as are consonant and consistent with Chapter 376 of the Laws of the State
of New York;[1] provided, however, that no such rules and regulations or amendments
thereof shall be effective until a copy thereof shall have been filed in the
office of the Clerk of the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill, in the minutes
of said Town Board, a copy of which resolution of approval shall be filed
therewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: See General Municipal Law § 239-o et seq.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Town of Wallkill is authorized
to request and expend such appropriations for expenses and compensation as
shall have been first approved in each case by voucher submitted to the Town
Board of the Town of Wallkill and authorized by the Town Board in conformity
with the town regulations of the Town of Wallkill.
The Commission is required to submit an annual report of its activities
and proceedings and an annual reorganization of its committees and the members
thereof on or prior to January 31 of each year.
