[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Glocester 10-8-1971 (Ch. I, § 3, 1-03-03, of the 1991 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Rules of procedure for boards and commissions — See Ch. 392.
A. 
There is hereby continued a Glocester Safety Commission ("the Commission") consisting of no more than 10 members appointed by the Town Council for terms concurrent with the term of the Council. Each of the following Town departments, agencies or organizations shall be represented on said Commission:
(1) 
Police;
(2) 
Civil defense;
(3) 
Public works; and
(4) 
Each village fire company.
B. 
The Commission shall appoint from its membership a Chairman and may designate by rules, regulations, or bylaws such other officers and procedures not inconsistent with this chapter or other laws as may be necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. All such rules, regulations, and bylaws must be approved by a majority of the Town Council before they become effective.
The Commission is hereby endowed with full authority and power to perform and carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
A. 
Advise and make recommendations to the Town Council from time to time with respect to all matters pertaining to public safety in the Town of Glocester, including, but not limited to: fire, traffic, weather-related conditions, water safety, civil defense, emergency preparedness, structural and safety soundness of buildings, and other areas which may similarly impact upon public safety;
B. 
Analyze and collect all data necessary to measure, ascertain, and make recommendations concerning the detection and correction of existing safety problems and the prevention of future safety problems in the Town;
C. 
Upon prior written authorization obtained from the Town Council, make reasonable inspections of all premises and places to which the general public has access, and, upon prior written authorization obtained from the Town Council and a warrant, make reasonable inspections of private premises and places in the Town where public safety may be affected. Such authorization shall not be granted unless there is probable cause to believe that safety problems exist thereon or that there are other reasonable grounds for inspection. Reasonable grounds for inspection will be deemed to exist where the Safety Commission requests permission to make an annual inspection of premises, places, or areas whose condition may adversely affect public safety;
D. 
Establish rules and regulations governing the use of public highways by vehicles and pedestrians within the limits established by R.I.G.L. § 31-12-12, as amended, including but not limited to the installation of traffic control devices; regulating the standing or parking of vehicles; designation of through-way and stop streets; creation of crosswalks and safety zones; regulation of the speed of vehicles as authorized in R.I.G.L. §§ 31-14-5 and 31-14-6; designation of emergency snow removal routes, emergency no-parking zones and streets at which drivers shall not make right or left turns;
E. 
Function as the Town's Emergency Response Commission, which will work when necessary with the State Emergency Management Agency. Said Commission shall, in the event of natural or man-made emergencies, determine whether disaster assistance is needed by evaluating:
(1) 
Casualties;
(2) 
Commercial/Residential destruction;
(3) 
Commercial/Residential damage;
(4) 
Flooded areas;
(5) 
Possibility of additional flooding.
F. 
Carry out special assignments from the Town Council relating to matters of public safety.
The purpose of the establishment of a Safety Commission is to create a public body whose primary responsibility is to advise the Town Council on matters affecting the safety of the Town and its residents.
The presence of five members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of any meeting of the Commission, and the concurrence of at least a majority of those present at Commission meetings shall be necessary for purposes of authorizing any official action of the Commission and for forwarding official recommendations or advice to the Town Council pursuant to this chapter.