The text
Sec. 601. - Town clerk.#
There shall be a town clerk, who shall be a qualified elector of the town, elected by the voters in each even-numbered year at the general election, to serve for a two-year term or until his successor is elected and qualified. He or she shall have those powers and perform those duties prescribed now or in the future by the Constitution and laws of the state, and by this Charter, and such additional powers and duties as may be assigned by the town council. He or she shall have charge of such personnel as may be provided for by the town council to assist in the discharge of the powers and duties of the office. He or she shall be the custodian of the town seal and of the official documents and records of the town. (a)
There shall be a deputy town clerk who shall be appointed by the town clerk with the consent of the council to serve during the term of office of the town clerk. The deputy town clerk shall, in the absence or inability of the town clerk, exercise all the powers and perform all of the duties of the office of town clerk.
(b)
The town clerk and the deputy clerk shall receive such annual salaries as may be set by the council, and no other compensation for the performance of their official duties.
Sec. 602. - Town solicitor.#
There shall be a town solicitor who shall be appointed by the town council within 90 days of the town council's election, to serve for a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed. The solicitor shall be an attorney-at-law in good standing who has been admitted to the practice of law in this state. In making said appointment, the council may in its discretion provide either that the solicitor need not devote full time to the duties of the office, or may require that he or she shall devote full time to the duties of the office, during the term of appointment. He or she shall receive such compensation as may be set by the town council at the time of appointment, provided, however, that the council, or in matters involving the school department, the school committee, may authorize payment to the town solicitor or other counsel specially retained, for extra or unusual services, within the limits of available appropriations. The town solicitor shall be the attorney for the town and legal advisor to the council, town administrator [mayor], and all other offices, departments and agencies of the town. He or she shall perform such other duties as the administrator [mayor] shall request or the council prescribe. The council may provide for additional legal services for the town, either by the appointment of one or more assistant town solicitors, or by retaining a law firm for such purpose, at such compensation or retainer fee as it may deem appropriate, provided however, that all such appointments or retainer agreements may not exceed two (2) years unless renewed by the council.
(Amend. of 11-3-20)
Sec. 603. - Probate judge.#
There shall be a probate judge who shall be appointed by the town council within 90 days of the town council's election, to serve for a term of two (2) years or until his successor is appointed. The probate judge shall exercise the powers and duties of the probate court for the town. He shall be an attorney-at-law in good standing who has been admitted to the practice of law in this state. He need not be required to devote full time to the duties of his office. He shall receive such compensation as may be set by the town council at the time of his appointment. Whenever the probate judge is a party to or interested in any proceeding about to be heard in his court, or is absent or unable to perform his duties, or there is a vacancy in such office, his duties shall be temporarily performed by the town solicitor. The fact of such interest, absence, inability or vacancy shall be recorded in the records of the probate court.
(Amend. of 11-2-04; Amend. of 11-3-20)
Sec. 604. - Town sergeant.#
There shall be a town sergeant, who shall be a qualified elector of the town, appointed by the council to serve during its pleasure. He 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 him by the town administrator or by the council. He shall receive such compensation as may be set by the council.
Sec. 605. - Sealer of weights and measures.#
There shall be a sealer of weights and measures appointed by the town administrator [mayor] to serve during his pleasure. The powers and procedures of said officer shall be as prescribed by law. He shall receive such compensation as may be set by the council.
(Amend. of 11-3-20)
Sec. 606. - Board of tax assessment review.#
There shall be a board of tax assessment review consisting of three (3) members appointed by the council, to serve for three-year staggered terms, no more than two (2) of whom shall be of the same political party at any one time and two (2) alternate members, to serve for three-year staggered terms, who may not both be of the same political party. All initial appointments, and all subsequent appointments made upon the expiration of terms or to fill vacancies, shall be made from lists of names requested by the council from the party chairman from whose party appointment is to be made. Any such list shall contain at least three (3) times the number of names as there are appointments to be made from that list. The first members appointed under this Charter shall be appointed for one-year, two-year and three-year terms, respectively. (a)
The board of tax 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. The council shall provide by ordinance for the organization and procedure of the board and for the manner of receiving, considering, and disposing of appeals.
(b)
If it shall appear that the valuation of any property has been erroneously or incorrectly assessed, the board shall have the authority to order a correction. Such determination shall be certified by the board to the 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 assessor, he shall transmit the findings of the board to the council, which may cancel in whole or in part the tax based on such valuation in order to effect a correction.
(c)
The taking of an appeal to the board of assessment review or any action thereon by the board or the council 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 originally determined by the assessor or subsequently by the board.
(Amend. of 11-2-10)