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:
(2) Commercial/Residential destruction;
(3) Commercial/Residential damage;
(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.
All existing laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to
safety shall remain in full force and effect.