[Adopted 2-11-1991 by Ord. No. 90-3692A]
A. 
There is hereby established under MGL c. 40, § 8J, as amended, a Commission on Disabilities, hereinafter called the Commission, which shall consist of nine members, which shall act as an advisory commission in regard to matters stated in this article. At least five of the nine members shall be persons with a disability as defined in § 19-29 of this article and represent as many cross-disabilities as possible. One of such members shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability, and one member of said Commission shall be either an elected or appointed municipal official. Commission members shall serve without compensation. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Commission will be available to consult with the Mayor regarding prospective Commission members. The terms of the seven members or their successors originally appointed to the Commission shall remain unchanged, and the additional two members shall be appointed so as to arrange for the reappointment of 1/3 of the nine members or their successors for terms of three years each as their terms expire each year. In the event of death or resignation of any member, a successor shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council.
[Amended 2-7-2000 by Ord. No. 99-8375B]
B. 
The members shall annually elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and a Treasurer by majority vote.
C. 
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum in the exercise of any of the Commission's powers and duties.
D. 
The Commission shall establish bylaws which designate such practices, rules and regulations as it deems necessary to effectuate the purposes and provision of this article.
E. 
The Commission may raise and receive funds, bequests and gifts of property, both real and personal, public and private, in the name of the City, subject to the approval of the City Council. Any such funds shall be deposited in a separate fund or account and shall be known as "The City of Marlborough Commission on Disabilities Fund." Management and control of such fund is hereby vested in the Comptroller of the City of Marlborough. Expenditures from this fund will be made following the recommendation of the Commission and only upon the approval of the Mayor and City Council in accordance with law and disbursal procedures of the City of Marlborough.
[Amended 7-22-1991 by Ord. No. 91-4034B]
A. 
Any member of the Commission may, after a public hearing if so requested, be removed for cause by the appointing authority.
B. 
If a member misses three Commission meetings, unexcused, during the year, he/she is subject to automatic termination by the appointing authority.
C. 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY
Any person who: a) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities; b) has a record of such impairment; or c) is regarded as having such impairments, as defined in Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended.
It shall be the function of the Commission to act as an advisory commission in the following areas: act as a centralizing force in the City of Marlborough which will deal with issues relating to citizens with disabilities, providing information, referral, guidance, coordination; offering and providing technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to enhance the quality of living and eliminate prejudice and discrimination against person(s) with disabilities because of their status as a person with a disability or as a minority person with a disability.
A. 
The Commission shall meet at least six times a year.
B. 
The Commission shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed and included in the annual report of the City.
C. 
The Commission shall submit an annual financial report to the City Auditor, which report shall also be made a part of the annual report required in Subsection B above.
The advisory powers and duties of the Commission shall include the following:
A. 
To ensure the equal status of person(s) with disabilities in education, employment, economic, political, health, legal and social spheres.
B. 
To advise, help and design and implement programs that promote equality for all person(s) with disabilities in the City.
C. 
To advise, coordinate and monitor the enactment of legislation on the City, state and federal levels which promotes equal status of person(s) with disabilities and to ensure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation.
D. 
To obtain the information necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, programs and activities of the Commission.
E. 
To assist and advise on public awareness of person(s) with disabilities through participation in public and media events sponsored by the Mayor and/or legislative bodies of the City, including but not limited to City-sponsored recreational, educational and development activities.
F. 
To be an active and participating member of appropriate organizations dealing with issues affecting person(s) with disabilities.
G. 
To acquire, analyze, use and store disability related statistics and materials for program planning, evaluation and assistance.
H. 
To research local problems of person(s) with disabilities; may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets necessary to its work.
I. 
Such other advisory powers and duties as may be agreed on by the Mayor and the Commission, subject to confirmation by the City Council.