[HISTORY: Adopted by the Representative Town
Meeting of the Town of Branford 10-5-1965. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Rule 1.1. The Moderator shall take the chair at the
hour for which the meeting was called or to which it is adjourned,
shall immediately call the RTM to order, have taken a call of the
roll by the RTM Clerk and, if a quorum is present, proceed to the
business of the meeting.
B.
Rule 1.2. In the absence of a quorum, the Moderator
shall adjourn the meeting to a definite time.
C.
Rule 1.3. In case of any disturbance or disorderly
conduct within the meeting hall, the Moderator shall have the power
to have the person or persons causing the disturbance removed.
D.
Rule 1.4. In case the Moderator wishes to leave the
chair for the purpose of taking part in debate or for any other cause,
he may designate a member to perform the duties of the chair.
E.
Rule 1.5. In case the Moderator is absent at the hour
for which the RTM has been called or to which it stands adjourned,
the First Selectman, or in his absence the Town Clerk, shall call
the RTM to order, and the first business shall be the election of
a Moderator Pro Tempore who shall preside over the RTM and discharge
all the duties of the Moderator until his return.
F.
Rule 1.6. In case of the resignation or removal from
office of the Moderator and provided that he retains his membership
in the RTM, the First Selectman, or in his absence the Town Clerk,
shall call the RTM to order, and the first business shall be the election
of a Moderator, and the Moderator thus elected shall preside over
the RTM and discharge all of the duties of the Moderator during the
remainder of the RTM term.
G.
Rule 1.7. In case of the death of the Moderator or
his resignation from both the office and membership in the RTM or
his removal from both the office and membership of the RTM for any
cause, the First Selectman, or in his absence the Town Clerk, shall
call the RTM to order, and the first business shall be the election
of a Moderator Pro Tempore who shall be the Moderator until the first
meeting after the election to fill the vacancy in the RTM membership
at which meeting the First Selectman, or in his absence the Town Clerk,
shall call the RTM to order, and the first business shall be the election
of a Moderator, and the Moderator thus elected shall preside over
the RTM and discharge all the duties of the Moderator during the remainder
of the RTM term.
H.
Rule 1.8. When any member is about to speak in debate
or to deliver any matter to the RTM, he shall rise and address the
chair as "Mr. Moderator" and shall wait to be recognized by the chair
before beginning to speak. If two or more members rise at the same
time, the Moderator shall name the member entitled to the floor.
I.
Rule 1.9. The Moderator shall control debate in accordance with the wishes of the RTM as outlined in § A236-6.
J.
Rule 1.10. If any member is speaking or otherwise
transgresses the rules of order of the RTM, the Moderator shall call
him to order. The member will be allowed to justify his act or discussion,
and if he does so to the satisfaction of the chair, he will continue,
but if he does not, he will be seated.
K.
Rule 1.11. The Moderator shall at all times guarantee
the right of speech to any elector of the Town or to any person, who,
except for the provisions of the RTM Charter, would be entitled to
vote in Town Meeting, subject to such rules and restrictions as are
hereinafter provided.
(1)
A nonmember wishing to speak shall rise and address
the chair as "Mr. Moderator." When recognized by the chair, he shall
state his name and, if requested by the RTM Clerk, his address. Unless
his right to speak is successfully challenged by a member rising to
a point of order, he shall proceed to speak on the subject under discussion
or debate.
(2)
A nonmember shall speak only on matters of Town business
appearing on the agenda or call of the meeting and only when such
matters are under discussion or debate by the RTM. A nonmember shall
take no part in debate on questions of procedure, acceptance of committee
reports, organization of the RTM or qualifications of RTM members.
(3)
If an RTM member shall be entitled to the floor, he
shall have the privilege of having recognized any nonmember present
for the purpose of speaking in his place, subject, however, to the
same rights and restrictions as if the member were speaking himself.
(4)
Upon receipt of a petition signed by 50 electors asking that an item
of Town business be placed on the agenda of the RTM, the moderator
shall place such item on the agenda for consideration by the RTM.
[Added 2-12-2014[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This subsection was repealed 9-12-2012, but
was reinstated as originally adopted 6-9-2010.
L.
Rule 1.12. The Moderator shall be an ex officio member
of all RTM committees but shall not vote in such committees, except
to break a tie vote.
A.
Rule 2.1. The RTM Clerk shall keep an accurate record
of attendance at all meetings, of all members, both regular and ex
officio. Such record shall be a part of the minutes of the meeting.
C.
Rule 2.3. The RTM Clerk shall keep accurate minutes
of the proceedings of the RTM, using such stenographic assistance
or such recording devices as the RTM may provide.
D.
Rule 2.4. The RTM Clerk shall prepare the minutes
of each meeting and shall deliver said minutes to the Town Clerk not
later than seven days after said meeting. The Town Clerk shall distribute
said minutes to the RTM members with the call for the next regularly
scheduled meeting. The minutes shall be posted on the Town's website.
[Amended 3-10-2021]
E.
Rule 2.5. The RTM Clerk shall receive and open all
mail or other communications addressed to the RTM. If action prior
to the next meeting is indicated upon any communication received,
the RTM Clerk shall refer the matter to the Moderator immediately.
F.
Rule 2.6. The RTM Clerk shall furnish the Town Clerk
with a copy or brief statement of each ordinance adopted, amended
or repealed by the RTM not later than 12:00 noon of the third day
following action of the RTM thereon.
A.
Rule 4.1. Standing committees.
(1)
There shall be the following standing committees,
which shall have the functions and the cognizance of the departmental
expense and capital projects budgetary areas of Town business, respectively,
as listed.
[Amended 6-11-1986; 4-14-1993; 4-4-2010; 6-9-2010; 2-8-2012; 12-12-2012]
(a)
Administrative Services: to study and recommend action on any
matters related to:
[Amended 1-13-2016]
Item
|
Area
|
---|---|
1
|
Assessor
|
2
|
Board of Assessment Appeals
|
3
|
Elderly Services
|
4
|
East Shore District Health Department
|
5
|
Elections
|
6
|
Executive
|
7
|
Human Resources and Labor Relations
|
8
|
Human Services
|
9
|
Information Technology
|
10
|
Legal Services
|
11
|
Legislative
|
12
|
Probate Court
|
13
|
Tax Collector
|
14
|
Town Clerk
|
(b)
Education: to study and recommend action on any matters related
to:
Item
|
Area
|
---|---|
1
|
Adult Education
|
2
|
Board of Education
|
3
|
School Age Child Care
|
4
|
James Blackstone Memorial Library
|
5
|
Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library
|
(c)
Public Services: to study and recommend action on any matters
related to:
[Amended 1-13-2016]
Item
|
Area
| |
---|---|---|
1
|
Animal Control
| |
2
|
Docks and Recreation
| |
3
|
Engineering
| |
4
|
Fire Services
| |
5
|
Municipal Buildings
| |
6
|
Police Services
| |
7
|
Police Service Special Detail
| |
8
|
Public Works
| |
9
|
Solid Waste Management and Recycling
|
(d)
Rules and Ordinances: to maintain a constant review of the rules
and to recommend changes therein to the RTM for action. Study of certain
general ordinances shall be the responsibility of this Committee;
also, to study and recommend action on matters related to:
Item
|
Area
| |
---|---|---|
1
|
Building Inspection and Enforcement
| |
2
|
Conservation and Environment
| |
3
|
Economic Development
| |
4
|
Inland Wetlands and Natural Resources
| |
5
|
Planning and Zoning
| |
6
|
Shellfish Commission
| |
7
|
Water Pollution Control Authority
| |
8
|
Zoning Board of Appeals
|
(e)
Ways and Means: to study and recommend action on any matters
related to:
[Amended 1-13-2016]
Item
|
Area
| |
---|---|---|
1
|
Board of Finance
| |
2
|
Branford Cable Television
| |
3
|
Capital Projects that require Bonding
| |
4
|
Contingency
| |
5
|
Employee Group Insurance
| |
6
|
Fiscal Services
| |
7
|
Interest Debt Service
| |
8
|
Municipal Insurance
| |
9
|
Parker Memorial Park
| |
10
|
Parks and Open Space
| |
11
|
Pensions and Contributions
| |
12
|
Principal Debt Service
| |
13
|
Public Celebration
| |
14
|
Recreation Department
| |
15
|
Sewer Assessment
| |
16
|
Water Assessment
|
(2)
Each standing committee shall consist of the following
membership:
[Amended 11-3-1971]
Committee
|
Number of Members
| |
---|---|---|
Administrative Services
[Amended 1-8-1986] |
7
| |
Public Services
|
7
| |
Education
|
7
| |
Ways and Means
|
5
| |
Rules and Ordinances
[Amended 1-8-1986] |
7
|
(3)
Each RTM member shall be appointed to at least one
but not more than two standing committees.
(4)
No more than a majority of one member from any one
political party shall be appointed to any standing committee.
(5)
The Moderator shall appoint the members and designate
the Chairman of each standing committee, unless otherwise instructed
by a two-thirds vote of the RTM members present at a meeting.
(6)
The majority leader and the minority leader shall be ex officio members, without voting power, of all standing committees. The majority and minority leaders may, however, be voting members of the standing committee or committees to which appointed pursuant to Subsection A(2); however, said leaders cannot serve as chairman of any committee.
[Amended 1-8-1986; 1-10-2018]
(7)
The
moderator, clerk, majority and minority leaders, in consultation with
the Finance Director, shall meet on an annual basis, after the Town
budget, to review standing committees areas of business and, by majority
vote, adjust or reallocate the areas of assignment, if necessary.
[Added 2-8-2012]
B.
Rule 4.2. Special committees. The Moderator may appoint such special committees as in his opinion may be necessary and may designate the Chairman thereof, subject to the same restrictions as are applied to the appointment of standing committees in Subsection A, Rule 4.1.
(1)
Overlay or duplication of standing committee function.
Special committees appointed by the Moderator shall not in general
overlap or duplicate the functions of a standing committee. If it
is necessary to constitute a special committee, which does so overlap
or duplicate a standing committee's function, the Moderator shall
appoint the Chairman and one minority member of the affected standing
committee to be voting members of the special committee. The Rules
and Ordinances Committee shall decide when such overlap or duplication
of functions occurs and shall so notify the Moderator.
C.
Rule 4.3. Committee responsibilities (general).
(1)
It shall be the function and responsibility of all
standing or special committees to provide accurate and up-to-date
information to the RTM in their assigned areas, to maintain contact
with the appropriate elected and appointed officials of the Town,
to consider and recommend action to the RTM on proposed and pending
legislation affecting their assigned areas and to perform such other
functions as may be assigned to them by the Moderator or RTM from
time to time.
(3)
Nothing in these rules shall be interpreted as to
limit in any way the introduction of recommended legislation, motions
or discussions by any RTM member or elector of the Town, in accordance
with the Charter, on any subject of proper interest to the RTM.
(4)
It shall be the duty and responsibility of each standing or special
committee to choose a clerk who shall be responsible for taking the
minutes of said committee meeting. The committee clerk shall prepare
the minutes of each meeting and shall deliver said minutes to the
Town Clerk not later than seven days after said meeting, or prior
to the expected action by the full RTM. The minutes shall be posted
on the Town's website.
[Added 3-10-2021]
D.
Rule 4.4. Referral of matters to standing committees
or special committees.
(1)
No matter shall be acted on by RTM without due consideration
being given to any available report on said matter by the appropriate
committee. If time allows, the matter will be referred to the appropriate
committee for report at the next regular or special meeting.
(2)
Upon referral of a matter to a committee by the RTM
at a meeting, the committee shall report on such matter at the next
regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that specific matter.
Failure of the committee to report shall place the matter before the
RTM for action.
(3)
Any new matter may be referred to the appropriate
committee by the Moderator at any time, and any matter so referred
may, after it has been duly considered by the appropriate committee
at a meeting specifically called for that purpose, be acted upon by
the RTM at the next regularly scheduled meeting, or at a special meeting
called for that specific purpose, provided that notice of such action
on such matter shall have been included in the call of the meeting.
(4)
Any matter of proper interest to the RTM may be returned
to the appropriate committee by a majority vote of those present,
except that, after a matter has been returned to committee, it shall
require a majority vote to return it to the committee again.
(5)
Any ordinance or amendment thereto to be presented
to the RTM for adoption shall, prior to consideration by the RTM,
be mailed to all RTM members in the form in which it is to be presented
to the RTM, at least five days before the meeting at which said ordinance
or amendment thereto is to be considered. No ordinance or amendment
thereto shall be considered by the RTM until reviewed by Town Counsel.
[Added 1-10-1973]
E.
Rule 4.5. Committee reports.
(1)
Content. A committee report shall contain the following
information: members present, members voting affirmatively, recommendations
for action by the RTM and other information deemed pertinent. A minority
report or reports may be presented.
(2)
Presentation. A written copy of the committee report
shall be given the RTM Clerk before or during the meeting at which
it is presented for, including it in the RTM records. At the request
of the committee, a copy of the report will be sent to each member
along with the call and agenda for the meeting at which the report
is to be presented.
F.
Rule 4.6. Parliamentarian selection.
[Added 4-14-2010]
(1)
The Rules and Ordinances Chairperson will be the default Parliamentarian for the RTM. The Parliamentarian will be responsible for obtaining, in conjunction with the Town Counsel, a satisfactory answer to any point of information raised by a member of a question of law under § A236-5A, Rule 5.1.
(2)
Should the Rules and Ordinances Chairperson not wish to also be the
Parliamentarian, the Moderator shall appoint a different member of
the Rules and Ordinances Committee of the RTM to serve as the Parliamentarian
for the term. The appointment of Parliamentarian by the Moderator
only applies for the term of the sitting RTM. After the next full
election of the RTM, the Parliamentarian role reverts back to the
Rules and Ordinances Chairperson.
(3)
If the RTM does not agree with the Parliamentarian appointment of
the Moderator, a 2/3 vote of the full RTM is required to override
the selection.
[Amended 4-14-2010]
A.
Rule 5.1. When any member shall state a clear and substantial question
of law as to an item of business before the meeting and shall request
opinion of the Town Counsel thereon, the request shall have precedence
as a point of information and shall be immediately referred to the
Town Counsel, if he is present. If the Town Counsel is not present
or shall decline to give an immediate opinion or if, after his opinion
is given, any member shall appeal therefrom, the question may, by
majority vote of those present, be referred to the Rules and Ordinances
Committee for further study and conference with the Town Counsel and
report at the next meeting. The motion for such referral shall take
precedence over all other business except motions to recess or to
adjourn or to fix the time to adjourn.
A.
Rule 6.1. Order of precedence.
(1)
When a question is under debate, no motion shall be
received, except:
(a)
To fix the time to which to adjourn.
(b)
To adjourn (N/D-N/R).
(c)
To recess (N/D-N/R).
(d)
To raise a question of privilege, point of order
or point of information.
(e)
To lay on the table (N/D-N/R).
(f)
For the previous question (two-thirds vote required)
(N/D-N/R).
(g)
To limit debate or to extend limits of debate
(two-thirds vote required) (N/D).
(h)
To postpone to a certain time.
(j)
To amend.
(k)
To postpone indefinitely.
(2)
These several motions shall have precedence in order
in which they stand arranged above in this rule. Motions for the previous
question and to limit debate or to extend limits for debate shall
require acceptance by 2/3 of those RTM members present.
B.
Rule 6.2. Reconsideration of motions. There shall
be no reconsideration of the vote on any of the following motions:
to adjourn, to recess, for the previous question, to suspend the rules,
to lay on the table or take from the table or to reconsider.
C.
Rule 6.3. Undebatable motion. There shall be no debate
on any of the following motions: to adjourn, to recess, to limit or
extend limits of debate, to lay on the table, for the previous question,
to question a point of order or to suspend the rules.
D.
Rule 6.4. Reducing motions to writing. Any motion
shall be reduced to writing if the Moderator so directs, or if 1/5
of the RTM members present express such desire before the question
is put. At least two copies of all main motions concerning ordinances
or appropriations shall be provided by the offerer, and such amendments
thereto as time and conditions permit shall be submitted in like manner.
A.
Rule 7.1. Discussion. No discussion or debate shall
be allowed after a question is put and while it remains undecided.
B.
Rule 7.2. Personal interest. No member, who is interested
in the decision of any question in such a manner that he will not
vote, may stay in the meeting hall when such question is discussed
or decided.
C.
Rule 7.3. Roll call vote. A roll call vote shall be
taken by the RTM Clerk on any question and entered on the records
of the RTM at the desire of 10% of the members present, expressed
at any time before the question is put.
D.
Rule 7.4. Unless vote by roll call is required on
a question, voting shall be by voice, except that the Moderator may
at his discretion call for a show of hands.
E.
Rule 7.5. Question of count. If a question is raised
by any member as to excess of votes over the number of members present,
a count of the RTM shall be made. If it appears that such excess of
vote exists, the Moderator shall order the vote taken again by roll
call.
A.
Rule 8.1. Charter requirements. All the requirements
with respect to the proceedings of the RTM are to be strictly followed,
and no rules shall ever be adopted by the RTM which shall be in conflict
with any Charter requirements respecting such proceedings.
B.
Rule 8.2. Parliamentary practice. Roberts Rules of
Order, revised, shall govern the RTM in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these rules
as they now stand or are amended, or with the Charter of the RTM of
Branford. The Parliamentarian shall be the authority, second only
to the moderator, as to the interpretation of the rules and their
application to the matter at hand.
C.
Rule 8.3. Seating of members. The regular RTM members
shall sit together in a section apart. A regular RTM member wishing
to leave before adjournment shall notify the Moderator before leaving
the meeting.
D.
Rule 8.4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the RTM shall
be held on the second Wednesday of each month except May, July and
August of each year and October 1965, at 8:00 p.m. in the senior high
school, on East Main Street, Branford, Connecticut, or any other place
as may be chosen by action of a majority of the members of RTM, except
that if for some reason it is impossible that the meeting be held
at the regular time or regular place, or both, the Moderator shall
designate the time or place, or both, for that meeting only, subject
to the provisions of the Charter concerning the calling of meetings.
[Amended 10-12-1965]
E.
Rule 8.5. Amending, altering or suspending the rules.
(1)
These rules shall not be altered or amended except
by vote of at least a majority of the members present at a meeting
and unless such alteration or amendment be on the call and agenda
of the meeting.
(2)
Suspension of any of the rules herein shall require
the vote of a majority of the members present and shall be for a specified
purpose; after the accomplishment of such purpose, the rule or rules
suspended shall be in force as before the suspension.
F.
Rule 8.6. Virtual Meeting Rules of the RTM.
[Added 5-9-2023]
(1)
A "virtual meeting" shall be any public "meeting," as defined in
C.G.S. § 1-200, that is accessible by means of "electronic
equipment" as that term is defined in C.G.S. § 1-200(12).
(2)
Branford RTM virtual meetings will conform in all respects with the
requirements of the Connecticut General Statutes applicable to such
meetings, as amended and until repealed.
(3)
Virtual Meeting Selection.
(a)
The determination of whether to hold a virtual meeting shall be within the discretion of the RTM Moderator (with respect to regular or special meetings of the RTM) and the Chair (with respect to RTM committee meetings), provided the meeting is noticed in accordance with the applicable General Statutes, and subject to Subsection F(3)(b) below.
(b)
The RTM (and/or an RTM committee, as applicable) may by simple
majority vote establish that a future meeting or meetings be held
in person, in whole or in part.
(c)
All meeting agendas and notices will comply with the requirements
of the applicable Connecticut General Statutes for public meetings.
(4)
Virtual Meeting Practices.
(a)
A "virtual host" is the person, designated by the Moderator
or Chair of a meeting, who controls the virtual meeting platform (admitting
attendees, watching the chat for questions, removing disturbances,
etc.).
(b)
The virtual host of any virtual meeting must be a member (including
ex officio members) of the body conducting the meeting.
(c)
The virtual host of the meeting will be clearly identified at
the start of any virtual meeting by the Moderator or Chair.
(d)
The virtual host of any virtual meeting can remove an attendee
that is being disruptive only at the spoken direction of the Moderator
or Chair of that meeting, in accordance with Section 7-8 of Chapter
90 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
[Added 11-10-2010]
A.
Rule 9-1.
Communication received by the RTM Clerk at least 48 hours prior to
the next scheduled regular RTM meeting shall be considered. Communication
received less than 48 hours prior to the regular RTM meeting may be
considered at the discretion of the Moderator and RTM Clerk.
B.
Rule 9-2.
All written communication consisting of 300 words or fewer, deemed
appropriate by the Moderator and RTM Clerk, shall be read in full.
Communication greater than 300 words, similarly deemed appropriate
may be summarized by the Moderator.
C.
Rule 9-3.
Should the Moderator and RTM Clerk not concur on the appropriateness
of communications, the Parliamentarian shall break the tie. If the
RTM Clerk and the Parliamentarian consider a communication appropriate,
the RTM Clerk may read the communication in full or summarize it as
described in Rule 9-2.
[Amended 6-13-2012]
D.
Rule 9-4.
Reading communication shall take place during the reception of communication.
Any discussion on the communication items shall take place under other
business on the call.
E.
Rule 9-5.
Any written document, including reports, opinions, maps and letters,
to be relied upon in the full RTM vote, must be distributed in written
or electronic form to all RTM members at least 48 hours before the
RTM vote.
[Added 1-9-2013]