Source: http://www.jamestownri.com/meetings/charter.htm
Timestamp: 2017-11-19 17:51:25
Document Index: 366022911

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 101', '§ 201', '§ 301', '§ 401', '§ 501', '§ 601', '§ 701', '§ 801', '§ 901', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 46', '§ 44', '§ 45', '§ 30', '§ 45', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 42', '§ 46', '§ 37', '§ 46', '§ 16', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 45', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 36']

*Editor's note-The charter of the town, adopted Nov. 5, 1974, is set out herein as adopted. Amendments are cited in parenthetical notes following amended provisions.
Art. I. Basic Provisions, §§ 101-104Art. II. The Town Council, §§ 201-225
Art. III. Town Administrator, §§ 301-305
Art. IV. Administrative Departments, §§ 401-422
Art. V. Schools, §§ 501-509
Art. VI. Elections, §§ 601, 602
Art. VII. Planning and Zoning, §§ 701-710
Art. VIII. Miscellany, §§ 801-804
Art. IX. Inauguration and Succession, §§ 901-915
State law references-Home rule powers, Const. Art. XXVIII; general powers, G.L. 1956, § 45-2-1 et seq.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § I)
The town council shall consist of five (5) members elected from the town at large, each to serve for a term of two (2) years or until his successor is elected and qualified. The regular election of councilmen shall be held on the first Wednesday of May in odd-numbered years. The names of all candidates for town council who shall have qualified to appear on the ballot shall be listed under their respective party designations (in the order determined by the board of canvassers by the drawing of lots). Each elector shall cast his vote for no more than five (5) candidates for town council, and the five (5) receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected.
Members of the town council shall be qualified electors and residents of the town of Jamestown and shall hold no other public office or employment in the service of the town. No member of the town council shall be eligible to accept any other local town office during his tenure on the town council or a paid appointive local town office for a period of one year thereafter. The office of any town council member who shall, during his term, cease to meet the foregoing qualifications shall be deemed vacant.
The president of the town council and the members shall receive such annual compensation as the financial town meeting shall appropriate.
The town council shall elect one of its members as its president at its first meeting as defined in section 205, or at its first meeting following the occurrence of a vacancy in said office. He shall preside at all meetings, and shall be recognized as head of the town government for all ceremonial purposes, and by the governor for purposes of military law. The president shall have the same right to speak and vote as any other member.
The town council shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the conduct of its meetings, but all votes shall be public. The town council may meet in executive session in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws Title 42, Chapter 46 (Open Meetings).
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § II)
Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations under section 211, the town council or its members shall deal with town officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the administrator solely through the administrator, and neither the town council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § III)
State law reference - Ordinances, G.L. 1956, § 45-6-1 et seq.
As used in this section, the term "publish" means to print in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the town: (1) the complete ordinance and (2) the places where copies of it have been riled and the times when they are available for public inspection.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § IV)
Sec. 222. Proposed budget.
The town administrator shall submit to the town council, not later than ninety (90) days preceding the date of the financial town meeting, a proposed budget of receipts and expenditures and an explanatory budget message. For such purpose, the town administrator shall obtain from the head of each office, department and agency estimates of its revenues and expenditures and such supporting data as he may request. In preparing the proposed budget, the town administrator shall review the estimates and may revise them as he may deem advisable. The proposed bu4get as prepared by the town administrator shall show the original departmental budgets as submitted by the department heads together with revisions made by the town administrator of all anticipated revenue and all proposed expenditures and the total of proposed expenditures shall not be greater than the total of anticipated revenues.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § V)
Sec. 223. Recommended budget.
The town council may revise the budget as submitted by the town administrator and shall adopt a recommended budget for presentation to the financial town meeting not later than thirty (30) days preceding its date. If the town council shall recommend an increase in the total of expenditures as proposed by the town administrator, it also shall provide for increasing the total anticipated revenues and shall indicate the revenues and expenditures. No revenue from any source other than the tax levy shall be included in the budget as recommended by the town c6uncil unless the facts clearly warrant the expectation that such amount actually will be realized in cash during the budget year.
Sec. 224. Capital budget program.
The town administrator shall prepare and submit to the town council a five (5) year capital program at least ninety (90) days prior to the final date for submission of the budget. The capital program shall include:
(2) A list of all capital improvements which are proposed to be undertaken during the five (5) fiscal years next ensuing, with appropriate supporting information as to the necessity for such improvements;
The town council by resolution shall adopt a recommended capital budget with or without amendment not later than thirty (30) days preceding the date of the financial town meeting.
Sec. 225. Public notice.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § VI)
ARTICLE III. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
The town council shall appoint a town administrator for an indefinite term. The town administrator shall be appointed solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications. He need not be a resident of the town or state at the time of his appointment, but must become and remain a qualified elector and resident of the town within a reasonable period of time after his appointment. The relationship between the town and the town administrator shall be contractual and not that between a municipality and a civil officer.
The town administrator at any time may be removed by a majority vote of all the members of the town council according to the following procedure. At least thirty (30) days before such removal shall become effective, the town council shall by a majority vote of all its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons for his removal. The town administrator may reply in writing, and may request an opportunity to be heard at a meeting of the town council. Such request must be made within ten (10) days of the date of the preliminary resolution. Such meeting shall be held before the town council no later than ten (10) days following the date of the request. After full consideration of the town administrator's written reply, if any, and of the results of the meeting, if one is requested, the town council may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution, the town council may suspend the town administrator from duty, but in any case he shall be paid full salary for the period commencing with the date of the preliminary resolution and for two (2) calendar months following the adoption of the final resolution.
The town administrator with town council approval may designate by letter filed with the town clerk a qualified administrative officer to perform his duties during his temporary absence or disability. In the event of failure of the town administrator to make such designation, the town council may appoint a qualified administrative officer to perform the duties of the town administrator until he shall return or his disability shall cease.
Whenever the office of town administrator shall be declared vacant by the town council, an interim town administrator shall be elected by a majority vote of the town council. He shall have all the duties and powers of the town administrator, except he shall not serve longer than six (6) months, and may be summarily removed by majority vote of the town council without charges or a hearing. Nothing shall prevent an interim town administrator from applying to be appointed town administrator.
The town administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the town. He shall be responsible to the town council for the administration of all town affairs placed in his charge by or under this charter. He shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) He shall nominate all department heads and other officers provided for in this charter, or established by ordinance, whose nomination or election is not otherwise provided for; all such nominations are subject to approval by the town council. He shall have the authority to remove, with the approval of the town council, any department head or official he nominated pursuant to the provisions of this section;
(2) He shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the town except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law;
(3) He shall see that all laws, provisions of this charter and acts of the town council, subject to enforcement by him or by officers subject to his direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(4) He shall prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the town council;
(5) He shall submit to the town council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the town as of the end of each fiscal Year;
(6) He shall make such other reports as the town council may require concerning the operations of town departments, offices and agencies subject to his direction and supervision;
(7) He shall keep the town council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the town and make such recommendations to the town council concerning the affairs of the town as he deems desirable;
(8) He shall perform such other duties as are specified in this charter or may be required by the town council.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § VII)
All departments, offices and agencies under the direction and supervision of the town administrator shall be administered by an officer appointed by and subject to the direction and supervision of the town administrator. With the consent of the town council, the town administrator may serve as the head of one or more such departments, offices or agencies or may appoint one person as the head of two (2) or more of them.
There shall be a town clerk, who shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council and shall have those powers and perform those duties prescribed now or in the future by the constitution and laws of the state not inconsistent with this charter, and such additional powers and duties as may be assigned to the town clerk by the town administrator, consistent with the duties of the office; the only exception to this provision shall be those tasks requested of the town clerk in his role as clerk to the town council. The town clerk shall have charge of such personnel as may be provided to assist the town clerk in the discharge of the powers and duties of the office.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § VII, VIII)
State law reference - Town clerk, G.L. 1956, § 46-7-1 et seq.Sec. 404. Tax assessor. There shall be a tax assessor who shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council, and shall have those powers and perform those duties prescribed now or in the future by town ordinance, the constitution and laws of the state not inconsistent with this charter.
State law reference - Assessment of local taxes, G.L. 1956, § 44-5-1 et seq.Sec. 405. Board of assessment review. There shall be a board of assessment review consisting of three (3) members who shall be qualified electors and residents of the town and shall be appointed by the town council for a term of three (3) years (except that the initial appointments under this charter shall provide that one member serve for a one-year term and another member for a two-year term). There shall be no more than two (2) board members belonging to the same political party. If a member of such board shall cease to be a qualified elector and resident of the town his office shall thereby become vacant. The board of assessment review shall hear and consider the appeal of any property owner concerning the amount of his assessed valuation as determined by the assessor. The board shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings which shall be available for public inspection. If it shall appear that the valuation of any property has been erroneously or incorrect board shall have authority to order a correction. Such determination shall be certified by the board to the tax assessor whose duty it shall be to make such corrections in the valuation as the board may determine. If the tax roll has been certified by the tax assessor he shall transmit the findings of the board to the town council, which may cancel in whole or in part the tax based on such valuation in order to effect a correction. The town council shall provide by ordinance for the organization and procedure of the board of assessment review and for the manner of receiving, considering and disposing of appeals. The taking of an appeal to the board of assessment review of any action thereon shall not be construed to limit or restrict the right of any taxpayer to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for relief from any assessed valuation or tax.
State law reference - Town moderator, G.L. 1956, § 45-3-15 et seq.Sec. 407. Civil defense director.
There shall be a civil defense director who shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council and shall have those powers and perform those duties prescribed now or in the future by the constitution and laws of the state not inconsistent with this charter.
State law reference-Local disaster preparedness, G.L. 1956 § 30-15-12.Sec. 408. Minimum housing inspector. There shall be a minimum housing inspector as provided by statute who shall exercise those powers and duties provided by statute.
State law reference - As to minimum housing standards. see G.L. 1956, § 45-24.2-1 et seq.
There shall be a building official who shall be a qualified elector and resident of the town and who shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council and shall be responsible for the supervision and enforcement of ordinances relating to buildings, zoning, trailer parks and other matters assigned to him pursuant to law. The building official may also serve as the minimum housing inspector.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, §§ VII, IX, X)
State law reference - Local building official, G.L. 1956, § 23-27.2-8 et seq.
There may be a town engineer nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council. He shall be a registered professional engineer, licensed to practice in this state and need not be a resident of the town of Jamestown. He may be nominated to serve either full time or part time. He shall be available to provide engineering advice and services to the town administrator, the town council and all other departments, offices and agencies of the town government. He shall be responsible for the custody and proper maintenance of all the files and records that pertain to his office, including surveys, plans, maps and the like. He shall maintain these files and records in the town of Jamestown. The results of all engineering studies or similar work he performs for the town shall become the property of the town.
There shall be a town solicitor who shall be appointed by the town council to serve at the pleasure of the town council. The town solicitor shall be an attorney at law in good standing who has been admitted to the practice of law in this state. The town solicitor shall be the legal advisor of and attorney and counsel for the town and all boards, commissions, departments and officers thereof. The town council may retain or authorize the retention of special counsel for the town or for any board, commission, department or officer for extra or unusual services. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prohibit the school committee from retaining independent counsel.
Sec. 412. Probate court.
There shall be a probate court as provided by statute which shall exercise the jurisdiction as set forth by statute. The town clerk shall serve as probate clerk; if he is unable to serve, the deputy town clerk may serve in his stead.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XI)
State law reference - Probate courts, G.L. 1956, H 8-9-2.1 et seq.
Sec. 413. Appointment of probate judge.
The town council shall appoint, at its first meeting following its election, a member of the Bar of the State of Rhode Island, to sit as judge of the probate court and to perform those duties as required by statute. Said judge shall serve for a two (2) year term or until his successor is appointed and qualified. Any person so appointed need not be a qualified elector of the town of Jamestown. Said person so appointed shall not hold any other elected or appointed position in the town.
Sec. 414. Registry of court.
Sec. 415. Public works.
There shall be a department of public works, the head of which shall be the director of public works, who shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council. He need not be a resident of the town at the time of this nomination but must become and remain a qualified elector and resident within a reasonable period of time after his appointment. He shall be responsible for the efficient operation of all the activities of the department of public works. The department of public works shall be responsible for the functions and services of the town relating to highways, street lighting, public parking lots, waste disposal, sewers, water supply, public buildings and such other public works activities as may be defined by ordinance.
State law reference - Parks and recreation, beaches, G.L. 1956, §§ 23-22-1 et seq., 32-3-1 et seq.
There shall be a police department, the head of which shall be the chief of police, who shall be a police officer with at least three (3) years' experience above the rank of patrolman in any organized police department. He shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council. In addition to the chief of police, there shall be such other subordinate officers, patrolmen and employees as required, all of the aforesaid serving full time, as shall from time to time be determined by the town council. In addition to the members of the permanent police force, the chief of police, with the approval of the town administrator and the town council, may from time to time appoint additional special policemen for occasional services and for limited terms who shall serve at the pleasure of the chief of police. The further organization of the department into divisions or offices or grades shall be made by the town council on recommendation of the town administrator after conferring with the chief of police. The police department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, regulation of traffic, and the enforcement of the laws of the state and the ordinances of the town and rules and regulations in accordance therewith. The chief of police and other members of the department shall have all the powers and duties as are now and hereafter vested in such police officers by the laws of the state and the town ordinances. The chief of police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall, subject to the approval of the town administrator and the town council, make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all officers and subordinates.
State law reference - Standards and training, G.L. 1956, § 42-28.2-1 et seq.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XII)
State law reference - Appropriations for payments to fire companies, G.L. 1956, § 46-18-1.
There shall be a department of finance headed by a finance director. The finance director shall be nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council. He need not be a resident of the town at the time of his appointment but must become and remain a qualified elector and resident within a reasonable period of time after his appointment. The finance director shall act as town treasurer, town tax collector and town purchasing agent and shall exercise those powers and perform those duties prescribed for these offices now or in the future by the constitution and laws of the state not inconsistent with this charter. He shall also have such additional powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the town administrator.
State law references - Purchases by state for municipality, G.L. 1956, § 37-2-7; joint purchasing authority, G.L. 1956, § 46-6-20.
Sec. 420. Personnel.
There shall be a personnel board consisting of three (3) members who shall be appointed by the town council for terms of three (3) years (except that the initial appointments under this charter shall provide that one member serve for a one-year term and another member for a two-year term). No member shall hold or be a candidate for any other public office or position and shall not be or have been for at least two (2) years prior to his appointment, a member of any national, state or local committee of a political party. They shall be qualified electors and residents of the town of Jamestown.
(2) Recommendations. The personnel board shall submit its recommendations to the town administrator who shall forth-with submit the recommendations of the personnel board, together with his comments and recommendations, to the town council.
(4) Positions excepted from classified service. There shall be excepted from the classified service of the town:
There may be a town planner nominated by the town administrator with the approval of the town council. He shall be responsible for the direction of the Jamestown planning program and for the development, coordination and implementation of programs relating to the physical and economic development of the town.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XIII)
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XIV)
State law reference - School committees and superintendents, G.L. 1956, § 16-2-1 et seq.
School committee members shall be qualified electors and residents of the town of Jamestown and shall hold no other paid office, or employment in the service of said town, except that of notary public, justice of the peace, town constable, volunteer firemen or special policemen. If a committee member shall cease to possess any of these qualifications or shall be convicted of crime involving moral turpitude, his office shall immediately become vacant.
Sec. 503. Vacancies.
Any vacancy in the membership of the school committee shall be filled by the town council by the next highest vote getter from the most recent election and so on until someone fills the vacancy until the next regular town election, when the office shall be filled for the unexpired term thereof.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XV)
(Amend. Of 11-3-92 § II)
The school committee shall submit line item budget estimates in the same manner as other departments, but the budget estimates and appropriations shall be considered by the town administrator and town council in total only. The allocation of the amounts appropriated shall be determined by the school committee.
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XVI)
State law reference-Elections, G.L. 1956, §§ 17-1-1 et seq., 45-4-1 et seq.
State law reference-Local canvassing authorities, G.L. 1956, § 17-8-1 et seq.
ARTICLE VII. PLANNING AND ZONING*
*State law reference - Planning and zoning, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-1 et seq.
Sec. 7.02. Appointment and term.
The planning commission shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be appointed by the town council. The members of the planning commission in office when this charter shall take effect shall continue in office until their terms shall expire. All new appointments shall be for the term of four (4) years. The town council may fill any vacancy in the planning commission for the unexpired term.
Sec. 703. Qualifications.
No member of the planning commission shall be an elected or appointed official of the town, except that the town administrator and the director of public works shall be ex-officio members of the planning commission without the right to vote.
(1) The preparation of, or extension of, a comprehensive community plan for the improvement and physical development of the town, to be known as the master plan and amendments and additions thereto.
(4) Filing with the appropriate agencies, annually, a report of its activities and accomplishments.
The zoning board of review shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the town council. The members of the zoning board in office when this charter shall take effect shall continue in office until their terms shall expire. All new appointments shall be for the term of five (5) years. The town council shall name a sixth, or auxiliary, member of said zoning board, who shall sit as an active member when and if a member of said board is unable to serve at any hearing, upon request of the chairman of said board.
State law reference-Additional auxiliary member of zoning board of review in Jamestown, G.L. 1956, § 46-24-14.
The town council shall, within forty-five (45) days, fill any vacancy which may occur in the membership of said zoning board, for the unexpired term.
No member of the zoning board of review shall be an elected or appointed official, or an employee of the town, or of any department, office or agency of the town.
Se . 709. Conflict of interest.
All records and accounts of every department and agency of the town of Jamestown shall be deemed to be public records and shall be open to inspection by any citizen of the state without giving any reason therefor, at all reasonable times and under reasonable regulations established by the town council, and / or school committee, except those records and documents the disclosure of which, in the opinion of the town council or school committee would tend to defeat the lawful purpose which they are intended to accomplish, and except such records as are required by the laws of the state to be kept confidential. In all instances, disclosure of or denial of access to records will be in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws Title 42, Chapter 46 (Open Meetings) and Title 38 (Public Records).
(Amend. of 11-3-92, § XVII)
Sec. 803. Annual audit.
State law reference - Audit of accounts, G.L. 1956, § 46-10-1 et seq.
No official of the town, elected or appointed, shall utilize his position to forward, directly or indirectly, his personal benefit. In case of personal interest in the proposition before him as a town official, he shall notify in writing the town administrator of the fact and nature of this personal interest.
State law reference - Conflict of interest law, G.L. 1956, § 36-14-1 et seq.
Sec. 914. Elected officials.
For the purposes of this charter, volunteer firemen, town constables, and members of the special police shall not be considered elected or appointed officials of town government nor as town employees.
Following the adoption of this charter, the town council shall appoint a town administrator as soon as possible, and for this specific interim period the town council shall have and exercise the powers and duties which are vested in the town administrator by this charter.