Source: https://ecode360.com/30051881
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 06:23:57+00:00

Document:
§ 7-1 Appointment, term, qualifications and removal.
§ 7-2 Whiting Street Fund Commissioners.
§ 7-3 Board of Registrars.
§ 7-4 Council on Aging.
§ 7-8 Cable Television Advisory Committee.
§ 7-9 Channel Marking Committee.
§ 7-10 Trustees of the Old Firehouse Museum.
§ 7-12 Canal Park Committee.
§ 7-13 Traffic Sign Committee.
§ 7-14 South Hadley Cultural Council.
§ 7-15 Board of Appeals.
§ 7-17 Associate Planning Board members.
§ 7-18 Bylaw Review Committee.
§ 7-19 Town Meeting Review Committee.
§ 7-20 Master Plan Implementation Committee.
§ 7-23 Sustainability and Energy Commission.
§ 7-26 Capital Planning Committee.
Conservation Commission regulations — See Ch. 305.
Council on Aging regulations — See Ch. 310.
In addition to those committees appointed by the Selectboard as required by Massachusetts General Laws, the Selectboard may from time to time appoint such other committees as it may believe prudent for the governance of the Town.
Appointees shall serve until the later of a specified term determined by the Selectboard or until a successor is appointed unless otherwise provided by statute or these bylaws. Unless otherwise provided below, if the term of any committee or board is for more than one year and has not been previously staggered or is to be reformed, the Selectboard shall appoint in the first year as close as is possible to 1/3 of the members for one year, 1/3 of the members for two years and 1/3 of the members for three years, and thereafter appoint members to three-year terms. In the event of a vacancy by removal, resignation or otherwise, the Selectboard may appoint a member to complete that term, subject to reappointment thereafter.
Members of committees or Boards of the Town must be voters in Town, unless otherwise provided for by Massachusetts General Laws or by these bylaws.
The Selectboard may, at any time, by majority vote, remove any committee or board member appointed under this article, for cause, including on account of a conflict of interest or failure to attend committee or board meetings or attend to committee or board business. No member shall be removed absent an opportunity for the member to resign or appear at a hearing before the Selectboard, provided that a written statement setting forth specific reasons for such removal is filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof is delivered to or sent by certified mail to said committee or board member at least five days before the date of said proposed hearing. The actions of the Selectboard shall be final.
Duties. The Whiting Street Fund Commissioners shall distribute annual fund income to any residents who are indigent and void of any form of financial aid or assistance.
Membership and term. The Whiting Street Fund Commissioners shall consist of five members, each of whom shall serve for a term of one year.
Duties. The Board of Registrars shall perform duties enumerated in MGL c. 51, § 15.
Membership and term. The Board of Registrars shall consist of three members, each of whom shall serve for a term of three years, pursuant to MGL c. 51, § 15. The Town Clerk shall also serve as an ex-officio member.
Be responsive to the changing needs of the elderly in the community, in cooperative communication with community organizations, agencies and individuals.
Membership and term. The Council on Aging shall consist of 11 members, a majority of whom shall be at least age 60. The term of appointment shall be three years. Members shall not serve more than two consecutive three-year terms, or more than seven consecutive years. Previous members shall become eligible for reappointment after one year of absence. Honorary members may be appointed by the Council in recognition of meritorious service to the Council.
Duties. The Conservation Commission will perform duties as enumerated in MGL c. 40, § 8C and MGL c. 131, § 40.
Membership and term. The Conservation Commission shall consist of not fewer than three members and not more than seven members, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Associate members. The Selectboard shall also appoint up to two associate non-voting members to the Conservation Commission for a term not to exceed three years. Failure to have served as an associate member shall not constitute a disqualification for appointment to fill a vacancy in the Conservation Commission.
Duties. The Recreation Commission shall perform duties as enumerated in MGL c. 45, § 14.
Membership and term. The Recreation Commission shall consist of seven members, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Editor's Note: Former § 7-7, Forestry Committee, was repealed 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13.
Duties. The Cable Television Advisory Committee shall serve as a liaison between the Town's cable provider(s) and the Selectboard; review proposed and existing cable contracts; advocate with the Town's cable provider(s) on behalf of the Town and its citizens; network with municipal peer groups; and anticipate future cable needs.
Membership and term. The Cable Television Advisory Committee shall consist of five members serving three-year staggered terms.
Duties. The Channel Marking Committee shall work with other nearby riverfront communities to mark safe boating channels in the Connecticut River.
Membership and term. The Channel Marking Committee shall consist of three members, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Duties. The Trustees of the Old Firehouse Museum shall ensure that the building and its contents are maintained in good condition, and shall make provisions for reasonable public access.
Membership and term. The Trustees of the Old Firehouse Museum shall consist of nine members (five from the South Hadley Historical Society and four from the general public), each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Duties. The Historical Commission shall perform duties as enumerated in MGL c. 40, § 8D. The Commission shall, upon request or on its own initiative, provide the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other municipal boards and committees with an assessment as to the impact of proposed developments on places of historical and/or archaeological significance.
Membership and term. The Historical Commission shall consist of seven members, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Develop the park's potential as a recreational and significantly unique educational attraction for residents and visitors.
Membership and term. The Canal Park Committee shall consist of seven members with staggered terms, three of whom shall initially be appointed for a three-year term, two for a two-year term and two for a one-year term. All future appointments shall be for three years.
Duties. The Traffic Sign Committee shall review requests from Town departments and citizens regarding traffic signs, speeding, traffic control and hazardous situations and make nonbinding recommendations to the Selectboard relative to same for its approval.
Membership and term. The Traffic Sign Committee shall consist of three members with a term consistent with their position. The members of the Committee shall consist of the Town Engineer, the DPW Superintendent and the Chief of Police. In the event of a vacancy(s), the Town Administrator will fill the void to allow a quorum. Anyone in the "acting" capacity in regards to the aforementioned positions will have authority to fully participate on this committee. All meetings to discuss requests will be posted in accordance with open meetings laws and every reasonable attempt will be made to invite and inform interested parties of said meeting.
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25.
Duties. The Council has the responsibility to promote and encourage the arts and to receive, obligate and disburse funds from the State Arts Lottery Fund, as enumerated in MGL c. 10, § 58. The Council shall abide by the regulations of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In addition to the foregoing, the Council is to identify and promote cultural activities, communicate awareness of art and cultural activities, and work with other entities and individuals to establish a plan and framework for further development and promotion of cultural opportunities.
Membership and term. The Council shall consist of not fewer than five members and not more than nine members, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years. A person is not eligible to be appointed to more than two consecutive terms, but may be reappointed after a one-year interval. The Selectboard may also appoint up to two associate non-voting members for terms not to exceed three years.
Duties. The Board of Appeals shall perform duties as enumerated in the laws of the commonwealth.
Membership and term. The Board of Appeals shall consist of three members plus two non-voting associates, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Duties. The South Hadley Golf Commission shall advise the Selectboard on the operation of golf, policies and fees, capital purchases, finances, staffing and general management within the Town of South Hadley and shall promote and operate golfing programs and other recreational activities as may be deemed in the best interest of the Town. The South Hadley Golf Commission shall prepare and submit an annual report of its activities to the Selectboard.
Membership and term. The South Hadley Golf Commission shall consist of seven members, each of whom shall be appointed for three-year terms. Where possible, the Selectboard shall endeavor to appoint members to the Commission who represent a cross-section of the community, course neighbors, and/or users of the golf course.
The Selectboard may appoint alternates as it deems necessary, who shall serve for two terms each and who, when present, may be counted for the purpose of creating a quorum if necessary and may vote if one or more of the seven members are unavailable, absent or choose to abstain because of a conflict of interest.
Any member of the Commission may be removed by the Selectboard after a public vote. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner of original appointment.
The Selectboard and the members of the Planning Board shall appoint an associate voting member in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 41, § 81A for filling a vacancy occurring in the Board.
Duties. The Bylaw Review Committee shall meet as needed to review and recommend new bylaws or amendments to these bylaws.
Membership and term. The Bylaw Review Committee shall consist of up to seven members, with a quorum consisting of a simple majority of members duly appointed, each of whom shall be appointed for a term of three years.
A Town Meeting Review Committee shall be appointed every five years beginning in 2015. Said committee shall include the Town Moderator, one representative each from the Selectboard, School Committee, Appropriations Committee, Planning Board, three Town Meeting members and up to four registered voters who are not Town Meeting members to be appointed by the Selectboard. Said committee shall report its findings and recommendations regarding ways and means to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of Town Meeting to the Selectboard within six months of its appointment or such further time as the Selectboard may grant.
Duties. The Master Plan Implementation Committee shall be responsible for managing and reporting on the implementation of the Town's current Master Plan.
At least five members who are Town residents who individually apply for membership on the committee. Three of these initial appointments shall be from persons who served on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee.
Up to four members chosen from nominations submitted by various boards, committees, and commissions and other municipal bodies.
Terms. Members of the Master Plan Implementation Committee shall be appointed for three-year terms. Initial appointments shall provide for staggered terms, with 1/3 of the initial appointments being for one year, two years, and three years. Upon expiration of an initial appointee's term, the subsequent appointment shall be for a three-year term.
Editor's Note: Former § 7-21, Community and Economic Development Commission, was repealed 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13.
Editor's Note: Former § 7-22, Open Space Committee, was repealed 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13.
Duties. The Sustainability and Energy Commission shall serve to provide a forum to achieve high levels of energy efficiency, energy and natural resource sustainability and guard against the effects of energy and natural resource disruption/depletion and climate change in accordance with the Town's Master Plan.
Membership. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Selectboard for three-year staggered terms.
Editor's Note: Former § 7-24, Personnel Board, was repealed 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13.
Duties. The Appropriations Committee shall conduct a public hearing and consider all articles involving the expenditure, appropriation, raising or borrowing of money in any warrant for any Town Meeting held during its term of office, and make report thereon, in writing, together with its recommendations to the meeting held to consider such article or articles. This public hearing shall be held not less than 12 days prior to an annual meeting and five days prior to a special meeting. It shall be the duty of the Committee to investigate the cost of maintenance and expenditures of the different Town officers in matters pertaining to the appropriations for their departments and to recommend, in detail, the amounts to be appropriated for the ensuing year. No action shall be taken on the expenditure, appropriation, raising or borrowing of money, until such proposition has been submitted to the committee and report made by the committee to the meeting at which action is to be taken.
Appointment; membership; term; organization. The Town Moderator shall appoint the Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee shall consist of nine members, all of whom shall be voters in the Town, but none of whom shall hold an elective Town office other than Town Meeting member. Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years, with 1/3 of the Committee appointed annually. In the event of a vacancy by removal, resignation or otherwise, the Moderator shall fill the vacancy in accordance with Chapter 72, Article III, of the Town Code. The committee shall elect a Chair and Secretary at the first committee meeting after the Annual Town Meeting.
Removal. The Moderator may, at any time, remove any member of the Appropriations Committee after a meeting or an opportunity therefor, provided that a written statement setting forth specific reasons for such removal is filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof is delivered to or sent by certified mail to said official at least five days before the date of said proposed hearing. The action of the Moderator shall be final.
The Appropriations Committee shall be advised of all Capital Committee recommendations prior to Town Meeting.
The Appropriations Committee Chair will work with the Town Administrator to make background information available for any appropriation or budget request to be presented at Annual Town Meeting no less than 15 days before said meeting or five days before a Special Town Meeting. The Town Administrator will post relevant budget material to the Town website no later than November 30 for the successive fiscal year or as directed by the Selectboard.
Membership and term. The Capital Planning Committee will consist of nine members, each of whom shall be appointed for a three-year term, and shall consist of three individuals appointed by the Selectboard, two members appointed by the School Committee, three individuals appointed by the Appropriations Committee, and one member appointed by the Planning Board. The Committee shall choose its own officers, and in the event of a vacancy by removal, resignation or otherwise, the remaining Committee members shall have the power to fill the vacancy for the balance of that term.
The Capital Planning Committee will on an annual basis request all departments or boards to update the "Five Year Plan" entries, to indicate completed projects, adjusted need, change of cost estimates or other related information. The Town Administrator or his/her designee will assist and facilitate the collection of material, attend meetings when requested and provide updates to the Selectboard or the public about projects or inquiries from the Capital Planning Committee. The plan will be available on the Town website and updated appropriately by the Town Administrator at the direction of the Capital Planning Committee Chair or the Selectboard. The plan should be considered a "draft" by its very nature.
Report to Selectboard. The Committee shall prepare a report recommending a capital planning budget for the next fiscal year and a capital planning program including recommended capital improvements for the following five fiscal years. The report shall be submitted to the Selectboard for its consideration and approval. The board shall submit its approved capital budget to the Annual Town Meeting for adoption by the Town. No appropriation shall be voted for a capital improvement requested by a department, board or commission unless the proposed capital improvement is considered in the committee's report or the committee shall have submitted a report to the Selectboard explaining the omission.
Approval and implementation of report. Such capital planning report, after its adoption, shall permit the expenditure on projects included therein of sums from departmental budgets for surveys, architectural or engineering advice, options or appraisals; but no such expenditure shall be incurred on projects which have not been so approved by the Town through the appropriation of sums in the current year or in prior years or for preliminary planning for projects to be undertaken more than five years in the future. Nothing herein shall restrict the School Committee from approving an expenditure for a capital project out of a previously approved annual appropriation by Town Meeting.
Report of recommendation to Town Meeting and residents. The Committee's report and the Selectboard's recommended capital budget shall be published and made available in a manner consistent with the distribution of the Town budget.
Editor's Note: Former § 7-27, Town Meeting Electronic Advisory Committee, and Art. III, Agricultural Commission, which immediately followed this section, were repealed 5-10-2017 ATM by Art. 13.

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