HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrdinance 2007-046 70M12 GOu12C11
1630
• TOWN OF WATERTOWN
^r' ADMINISTRATION BUILDING•WATERTOWN,MA 02472-4410
£, (617)972-6470•FAX(617)972-6485
ORDINANCE # y 0-2007- Ip
AN ORDINANCE ON THE TIMING AND PROCESS OF APPOINTMENTS TO
TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
WHEREAS, appointed boards, commissions, and committees (hereafter, "Town Boards")
are an integral part of our system of local government; and
WHEREAS, under Massachusetts law,the Watertown Home Rule Charter, and Town
Council ordinances and resolutions, the Town Manager has the power to appoint the
members of Town Boards, subject in some cases to Town Council confirmation; and
WHEREAS, a timely, predictable appointment process will attract more candidates for
positions on Town Boards and ensure that Town Boards have qualified, committed
members to carry out their important functions;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE Town Council of the City Known as the Town of
Watertown, that Chapter II of the Watertown Ordinances is amended to add a new
section 7, as follows:
Section 7. Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards
A. Expiration of terms
1. The terms of appointments to Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees
(hereafter, "Town Boards") expire as follows:
Board of Health: I"Monday in February
Zoning Board of Appeals: February 15
Planning Board: February 15
Conservation Commission: February 15
Licensing Board: February 15
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee: February 15
Election Commission: April 1
Traffic Commission: May 15
Board of Assessors: May 15
Watertown Housing Authority: May 15
Council on Aging: May 15
Cultural Council: May 15
Cable Access Corporation: September 15
Historical Commission: October 1
Commission on Disability: November 1
Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee: November 15
Historic District Commission: November 15
Recycling Advisory Board: November 15
2. All persons serving on a Town Board for a term of years at the time of
enactment of this ordinance shall continue to serve on that Town Board until
their terms would otherwise expire, and until their successors are qualified,
unless otherwise terminated.
B. Timine of annointments
1. Appointments upon expiration of term
a. At least 90 days before the expiration of a Town Board member's term,
the Town Manager will notify the member in writing of the expiration date
of his/her term and determine whether the member wishes, at the Town
Manager's discretion, to serve another term.
b. Within 7 business days of giving the notice required in paragraph B.La.,
the Town Manager will post the position. If the Town Manager has
determined that the current member wishes to serve another term, the
posting will include that information.
c. If the appointment requires confirmation by the Town Council, the Town
Manager will transmit his/her appointment to the Town Council at least 30
days prior to the expiration of the term.
d. If the appointment does not require confirmation by the Town Council, the
Town Manager will transmit to the Town Council notice of his/her
appointment prior to the expiration of the term.
2. Appointments other than upon expiration of tern
a. Vacancies on Town Boards occurring other than upon expiration of term,
whether due to resignation, removal, or other cause, shall be filled by
appointment by the Town Manager for the unexpired term.
b. Upon learning of a vacancy occurring other than upon expiration of term,
the Town Manager may either(i) appoint a new member from among
people who have previously applied and been interviewed for a position
on a Town Board; or(ii)post the position.
c. Preferably within 60 days, but not more than 90 days, after learning of a
vacancy, the Town Manager shall transmit to the Town Council his/her
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appointment (if Town Council confirmation is required) or notice of
his/her appointment(if Town Council confirmation is not required).
3. Failure to make timely appointments
a. If, for any reason, the Town Manager is unable to make an appointment
within the time periods provided in this Section, he/she will make a report
to the Town Council explaining the reasons for the delay and indicating
the date by which he/she expects to make the appointment.
b. Members of Town Boards who are willing to continue to serve after the
expiration of their terms will serve until they are reappointed and qualified
or their successors are appointed and qualified.
C. Annointment process
1. Annual listing: Not later than January 15 of each year, the Town Clerk will
prepare a list of all Town Board terms due to expire during that calendar year.
The list will be transmitted to the Town Council and Town Manager,posted
on the Town bulletin board and Town website, and published at least twice in
the local newspaper.
2. Posting of positions: All positions on Town Boards posted in accordance with
this ordinance shall be posted for not less than 14 days on the Town bulletin
board and Town website and published at least twice in the local newspaper.
The posting shall contain a description of the position and duties and a list of
necessary and desirable qualifications, and shall indicate whether the person
currently holding the position wishes to serve another term. No appointment
shall be made until at least 21 days have elapsed following the initial posting.
3. Interviews: Except where the Town Manager appoints a prior applicant under
para. 13.2.(b), the Town Manager or his/her designee shall interview no less
than three candidates for each position on a Town Board. If there are fewer
than three applicants, the Town Manager or his/her designee shall interview
all of the applicants.
4. Confirmation by the Town Council
a. For appointments requiring confirmation by the Town Council, the Town
Council or a committee thereof must interview the appointee at a public
meeting for which the posted agenda contains notice of the interview.
b. A vote by the Town Council on confirmation of an appointment must take
place at a meeting for which the posted agenda contains notice of the vote.
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c. If the Town Council fails to take any action on an appointment within 30
days following the date notice of the appointment is filed by the Town
Manager with the Town Council, such appointment shall be deemed to
have been confirmed.
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D. Effective date
This ordinance shall apply to all appointments upon expiration of term and other
vacancies occurring after January 1, 2008.
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was
present, the above Ordinance was adopted, after public hearing, by a vote of q for, O
against and D present on October 23, 2007.
tQ 9,
Council Clerk Council President 0
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