ARTICLE IV. - EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH—POWERS AND DUTIES

CHAPTER 1. - THE MAYOR#

Sec. 4-100. - Chief executive officer.#

The mayor shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the city. They shall supervise, direct and control, and shall be responsible for the conduct of the executive and administrative work of the city, and shall be at all times vigilant and active in causing the laws of the state and ordinances of the city to be executed and enforced.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-101. - Reserved.#

Sec. 4-102. - Powers and duties.#

Subject to the other provisions of this Charter, and except as otherwise provided therein, the powers and duties of the mayor shall be as follows: (1)

Communicate to the council at least once a year a statement of the financial and general conditions of the affairs of the city and also such information on financial matters as the council may from time to time request.

(2)

Submit to the council not later than 45 days before the end of the fiscal year their operating budget message and a proposed annual operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year. In the operating budget message the mayor shall furnish to the council the estimated surplus or deficit, if any, of the current fiscal year and the estimated actual receipts of the city from all sources for the ensuing fiscal year which shall be available for meeting ordinary expenses and all other information pertinent to an operating budget, shall state the known liabilities of every kind which must be met during the year, and shall recommend appropriations included in the proposed annual operating budget ordinance.

(3)

In connection with their submission of the operating budget, recommend to the council measures which they believes necessary to balance the budget.

(4)

At the same time that they submits [to] the council the proposed operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year; also submit to the council a recommended capital program and a recommended capital budget.

(5)

See to it [that] the city does not, except in case of unforeseeable emergency, incur a deficit in any fiscal year. To this end, they shall have the power to reduce the allocations of any department to avoid a deficit.

(6)

The mayor shall recommend to the council all such measures connected with the affairs of the city, the protection and improvement of its government and finances, and the promotion of the welfare of its people as they shall deem desirable.

(7)

The mayor shall have the power to call special meetings of the council and to approve and disapprove ordinances in whole or in part as provided in this Charter.

(8)

The mayor shall at least once a year obtain from each department head and shall submit to the council a detailed report of the operation and work of the department since the submission of the last annual report.

(9)

Have and exercise all powers and duties vested in the office of the mayor by resolution or ordinance, not inconsistent with this Charter.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-103. - Mayor to be head of department of public safety.#

The mayor shall be head of the department of public safety.

Sec. 4-104. - Salary.#

The salary of the mayor shall be fixed by the city council.

Sec. 4-105. - Recall.#

(a)

Application. A mayor or member of the city council with more than six months remaining in the term of office for which the mayor or member of the city council was elected, may be recalled therefrom by the electors of the city in the manner provided in this section. No recall petition shall be filed against a mayor or member of the city council who has served less than six months of a first term of office.

(b)

Recall petition. A recall petition may be initiated by the filing of an affidavit containing the name of the mayor sought to be recalled and a statement of the grounds for recall, provided that the affidavit is signed by at least 500 electors and at least 50 such signatures shall come from the electors of each ward. A recall petition may be initiated by the filing of an affidavit containing the name of the member of the city council sought to be recalled and a statement of the grounds for recall, provided that the affidavit is signed by at least at least 250 signatures if the member is a ward-based member and 500 electors if the member is an at-large member and at least 50 such signatures shall come from the electors of each ward. The city clerk shall thereupon deliver to said electors making the affidavit copies of petition blanks demanding such recall, copies of which printed forms the city clerk shall keep available. Such blanks shall be issued by the city clerk, with signature and official seal attached thereto. They shall be dated, shall be addressed to the city council and shall contain the names of all the persons to whom they are issued, the number of blanks so issued, the name of the person whose recall is sought, and the grounds of recall as stated in the affidavit. A copy of the petition shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the city clerk. Said recall petition shall be returned and filed with the city clerk within 28 days after the filing of the affidavit, and shall have been signed by at least 20 percent of the electors eligible to vote citywide if for the mayor or a member of the council at-large or for the applicable ward if a ward-based city councilmember. The city clerk shall forthwith submit the petition to the board of canvassers, and the board of canvassers shall, within five working days, certify thereon the number of signatures which are names of electors.

(c)

Recall election. If the petition shall be found and certified by the city clerk to be sufficient, the city clerk shall submit the same with such certificate to the city council within five working days, and the city council shall forthwith give written notice of the receipt of the certificate to the mayor or member of the city council sought to be recalled and shall, if the mayor or member of the city council does not resign within five days thereafter, order an election to be held on a date fixed by them not less than 64 days and not more than 90 days after the date of the city clerk's certificate that a sufficient petition has been filed; provided, however, that if any other city or state election is to occur within 150 days after the date of the certificate, the city council shall postpone the holding of the recall election to the date of such other city or state election. If a vacancy occurs in said office after a recall election has been ordered, the election shall not proceed as provided in this section.

(d)

Office holder. The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the recall election. If said incumbent is not recalled, the incumbent shall continue in office for the remainder of the unexpired term subject to recall as before. If recalled, the mayor or member of the city council shall be deemed removed and the office vacant. The vacancy created thereby shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of this Charter for filling vacancies in the office of mayor or member of the city council. A person chosen to fill the vacancy caused by such recall shall hold office until the election. Should the person be a candidate in the subsequent election, he or she will not be allowed to have "candidate for re-election" appear on the ballot at such election.

(e)

Ballot proposition. The form of the question to be voted upon shall be substantially as follows: "Shall [here insert the name], mayor or member of the city council of the city of Central Falls, be recalled?" Yes No

If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, the mayor or member of the city council shall be recalled.

(f)

Repeat of recall. In the case of a mayor or member of the city council subjected to a recall election and not recalled thereby, no recall petition shall be filed against such mayor or member of the city council until at least 270 days after the election at which the mayor's or member of the city council's recall was submitted to the electors of the city.

(g)

Office holder recalled. No person who has been recalled from the office of mayor or city council or who has resigned from office while recall proceedings were pending against such person, shall be appointed to any city office or position of employment within two years after such recall or such resignation.

(11-6-2012; 11-6-2018)

CHAPTER 2. - DEPARTMENT OF RECORDS#

Sec. 4-200. - City clerk.#

The city clerk shall be ex officio the recorder of deeds, registrar of vital records, clerk of the council, and purchasing agent.

Sec. 4-201. - Records.#

The department of records shall keep and maintain: (1)

All land evidence records of every kind whatsoever now or shall hereafter be required or permitted to be recorded in a public place in charge of or under the control, custody, or supervision of any officer of the city; as provided by state law.

[(2)

Reserved;]

(3)

All records of licenses issued by the city or by any officer or employee thereof, unless otherwise provided by ordinance;

(4)

All records of births, marriages and deaths;

[(5)

Reserved;]

(6)

All records of trade names;

(7)

All records of proceedings in the city council;

(8)

A complete copy of the Code of Ordinances of the city with all amendments thereto properly indexed;

(9)

Such other records as shall by ordinance be required to be kept by the department of records or the city clerk.

Sec. 4-202. - Licensing authority.#

The city clerk shall issue all licenses, and permits, as by state law or city ordinance shall be required to be issued by the city clerk or the department of records.

CHAPTER 3. - LAW DEPARTMENT#

Sec. 4-300. - Functions.#

The law department shall have the power and its duty shall be to perform the following functions: (1)

It shall furnish legal advice to the mayor, to the council and to all officers, departments, boards and commissions concerning any matter or thing arising in connection with the exercise of their official duties and except as otherwise expressly provided, shall supervise, direct and control all of the law work of the city.

(2)

The department shall collect by suit or otherwise all debts, taxes and accounts due the city which shall be placed with it for collection by any officer, department, board or commission, and it shall represent the city and the city's interests in all litigation by or against the city and every officer, department, board or commission.

(3)

The department shall prepare or approve all contracts, bonds, and other instruments in writing in which the city is concerned, and shall approve all surety bonds required to be given for protection of the city.

(4)

It shall prosecute any violation or alleged violation within the city of the statutes of the state or the ordinances of the city at the instance and request of the division of police.

(5)

Upon request of the council or of any councilmember, or of the mayor, the department shall prepare or assist in preparing any ordinance for introduction into the council, and shall prepare for the consideration of the council comprehensive revisions and codifications of all general ordinances of the city which are then in effect as required by this Charter or by the council.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-301. - Codification.#

The law department, with the assistance of the city clerk's department, shall prepare and submit to the council for its consideration, a comprehensive revision and codification of all the general ordinances of the city which are still in effect. For this purpose, it may employ the assistance of experts in the field of revision and codification as required by state law.

CHAPTER 4. - FINANCE DEPARTMENT#

Sec. 4-400. - Director of finance.#

The director of finance shall be the chief financial, accounting and budget officer of the city. They shall be ex officio the city treasurer and collector of taxes, with all the powers and duties imposed upon said officers. They shall be the head of the division of collections and disbursements and shall supervise the other divisions of the finance department.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-401. - Annual operating budget, capital program and capital budget.#

The director of finance shall: (1)

Provide estimates of any and all unrestricted revenues to be received in the current and proposed [budget] for the upcoming fiscal year.

(2)

Obtain from all officers, departments, boards and commissions and other agencies receiving appropriations from the city, such information as shall be necessary to enable them to compile for the mayor the information necessary for the preparation and submission to the council of the annual operating budget;

(3)

At such times as they may require, obtain from the heads of each department, and from each board, commission or agency of the city, an itemized estimate of the anticipated revenue and the proposed expenditures necessary to meet their financial needs, detailed by organization units and the character and object of expenditures, accompanied by an inventory of all equipment, materials and supplies on hand and a statement in writing of the work to be done for such proposed appropriation;

(4)

Make inquiries and investigations as to the financial needs, expenditures, estimates of revenues of the officers, departments, boards, commissions or other agencies of the city requesting appropriations from the city;

(5)

Obtain from all officers, departments, boards and commissions and other agencies requesting funds from the city for capital improvements, such information as the mayor shall require to enable them to prepare the capital program and capital budget;

(6)

Prepare and supply to the mayor, city council and department heads, such information as will enable the mayor to keep currently acquainted with the financial conditions and prospective receipts and expenditures of the city during the current fiscal year in order to control expenditures in such a manner as to avoid deficits;

(7)

Arrange for the sale of all bonds of the city or for any borrowing by the city.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-402. - Reserved.#

Sec. 4-403. - Divisions.#

The director of finance shall be head of the division of collections and disbursements, and shall have general supervision over the other divisions of the department, but they shall not interfere in the duties of the other divisions specifically granted to the other divisions in this Charter.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-404. - Tax assessing division.#

The head of the tax assessing division shall be the tax assessor, who shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor. The tax assessor shall have knowledge of and experience in the appraisal of real and personal property and, while serving as assessor, shall be bound by a code of ethics established by state law. The tax assessor shall be responsible for the fixing of an assessed valuation on all property liable to taxation and for the preparation of an assessment roll and a tax roll for the city in the manner provided by law and ordinance.

Sec. 4-405. - Division of collections and disbursements.#

The director of finance shall be the head of the division of collections and disbursements. The division of collections and disbursements shall: (1)

Collect all real estate and personal property taxes, penalties and interest due the city.

(2)

Collect any other taxes which now are or may hereafter be imposed by the council in such manner as shall be prescribed by ordinance.

(3)

Collect all fees or charges imposed by or pursuant to statute or ordinance for the issuance by the city of any licenses or permits.

(4)

Collect all other assessments made by the city, and all charges for the recording of instruments, probate fees, copies of instruments or documents, and all other sums due the city, except as may in this Charter otherwise be provided.

(5)

Prepare such bills for taxes, assessments and other charges as the director of finance shall prescribe.

(6)

Receive timely deposits from all departments and agencies of the city for any amounts collected, and it shall be the duty of all departments and agencies of the city to submit along with their deposits, any invoices, statements or financial, reports prepared by these departments.

(7)

Submit to the accounting division regular reports of monies received, indicating the official receipt or license numbers whenever such numbers are required to be used by the accounting division.

(8)

Permit, within its discretion, other departments, divisions, boards or commissions to receive directly monies due the city for charges made by such other agencies, provided that regular reports of monies received shall be submitted to the division of collections and disbursements and to the accounting division, indicating the official receipt or license numbers whenever such numbers are required to be used by the accounting division, and all monies collected shall be transmitted to the division of collections and disbursements daily.

(9)

Make daily deposits of all monies received by it in such banks as may be designated by the director of finance, and make daily reports to the accounting division of all sums so deposited together with proof thereof.

(10)

Make payments of money only pursuant to authorization contained in ordinances and on the basis of a duly verified voucher certified by the city's purchasing agent and the head of the appropriate department, board or commission. All checks for the payment of money shall be prepared by the accounting division, signed by the head of the accounting division, or his duly designated representative and cosigned by the director of finance or his designated representative. No payments shall be made and no obligation shall be incurred against any fund, allotment, or appropriation, unless the head of the accounting division shall first certify that there is a sufficient unencumbered balance in such fund, allotment, or appropriation, after taking into consideration all previous expenditures and outstanding obligations, to meet the same.

Sec. 4-406. - Accounting division.#

The accounting division shall: (1)

Keep and supervise all accounts which may be required by ordinance or by the mayor for the purposes of administrative direction and financial control, and shall maintain such accounts as will reflect, in detail or in summary, all assets, liabilities, reserves, surpluses, revenues and receipts, appropriations, allotments, expenditures and encumbrances. Such accounting records shall be such as will provide complete fiscal control over all agencies and activities of the city.

(2)

Prescribe the form of receipts, vouchers, bills, claims and systems of control for accounting and financial transactions to be used by each department, division, board, commission or other agency of the city.

(3)

Examine all contracts, purchase orders, and other documents by which the city incurs financial obligations, to ascertain that monies have been duly appropriated and allotted to meet such obligations; that there is sufficient unencumbered balance available in the appropriation applicable thereto; and that there will be such balance available when such obligations become due and payable. All such obligations shall be recorded as encumbrances on the respective appropriations from which such obligations are to be paid.

(4)

Audit all bills, invoices, payrolls, and other evidences of claims, demands or charges against the city, to determine the regularity and correctness of the same.

(5)

Prepare monthly reports of all receipts and expenditures of the city and all appropriations and the charges and encumbrances thereto, and submit the same to the mayor, the council, and the head of each department, board, commission or agency directly concerned. Copies of all such reports shall be filed with the department of records for each month not later than the 15th day of the succeeding month, and shall be public records.

(6)

Keep and maintain all records pertaining to budgetary matters for the director of finance, and assist him in the preparation of the budget and capital budget.

CHAPTER 5. - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS#

Sec. 4-500. - Duties of department.#

There shall be a department of public works which shall have supervision and control of the planning, surveying, construction and reconstructing, altering, paving, repairing, maintenance and inspecting of highways, sidewalks, curbs, storm and sewer drains. It shall have supervision and maintenance of all property, material, apparatus and equipment under its control. It shall be responsible for the maintenance of all parks and shall maintain recreational fields and playgrounds as directed by the department of recreation.

Furnish engineering advice to the mayor, to the council and to all officers, departments, boards and commissions concerning any matter or thing arising in connection with the exercise of their official powers or performance of their official duties. Prepare, keep and maintain proper maps and records pertaining to the location of all streets, sewers, curbing and similar matters.

Sec. 4-501. - Traffic and safety.#

The department of public works shall make street crossings and maintain traffic signs as directed by the chief of police.

CHAPTER 6. - DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION#

Sec. 4-600. - Duties of department.#

There shall be a department of recreation which shall have supervision and control of planning recreational programs for all city residents; It shall have supervision and maintenance of all property, materials and equipment under its control. It shall be responsible to report any maintenance issues of all parks, recreational fields and playgrounds to the director of public works.

There shall be a director of recreation who shall exercise and perform such duties as may be authorized by ordinance not inconsistent with this Charter. The director under the supervision of the department of human resources shall hire personnel as may be necessary to maintain the department.

CHAPTER 7. - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY#

Sec. 4-700. - Director of public safety.#

The director of public safety shall be the mayor. They shall have general supervision over the various divisions of the department, and shall exercise such supervision in accordance with the provisions of this Charter specifying the duties and responsibilities of these divisions. They shall, subject to the provisions of article VII of this Charter, have the power to demote, dismiss or suspend the heads of the fire and police divisions. They shall recommend to the board of personnel their choice for the position of police or fire chief from the names certified to them in accordance with the personnel system regulations whenever there is a vacancy.

Sec. 4-701. - Police division.#

The police division shall consist of colonel/chief of police and such other subordinate officers and personnel as the council shall by ordinance ordain. The police division shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property and enforcement of the laws of the state and the ordinances of the city and all rules and regulations made in accordance therewith. All members of the division shall have the same powers and duties with respect to the service of criminal process and enforcement of criminal laws as are vested in police officers by the statutes and laws of the state or by city ordinance. The police division shall operate and maintain, either independently or in conjunction with other cities an efficient police communication system. It shall see that proper traffic signs and signals are erected and properly maintained. The colonel/chief of police shall be in direct command of the division. Subject to the approval of the director of public safety, he/she shall make rules and regulations in conformity with the ordinances of the city, concerning the operation of the division and the conduct of all officers and employees thereof. He/she shall assign all members of the division to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties. He/she shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the division and for care and custody of all property used by the division. The uniforms of the members of the police division shall be of such material and style as the chief shall designate. The major/deputy chief of police shall assist the colonel/chief of police and perform such duties as may be assigned to him/her by the colonel/chief of police. In the absence of the colonel/chief of police, he/she shall have all the powers and perform all duties of the colonel/chief. No person shall be appointed a member of the police division who is less than 21 years old. Preference in hiring shall be given to candidates who are city residents, military veterans, and/or multilingual.

(10-14-1969, § 1; Ord. of 9-25-1975, § 1; 11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-702. - Fire division.#

The fire division shall consist of the fire chief, who shall be the fire marshal, and such other subordinate officers and personnel as may be prescribed by ordinance of the city.

No person shall be appointed a member of the fire division who is less than 18 years of age. Preference in hiring shall be given to candidates who are city residents, military veterans, and/or multilingual.

The fire division shall be responsible for the protection of life and property within the city from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire prevention and fire safety. The fire chief shall be in direct command of the fire division. They shall assign all members of the division to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties. With the approval of the director of public safety, they shall make all rules and regulations in conformity with the ordinances of the city concerning the operation of the division and the conduct of all officers and employees thereof. They shall be responsible for the efficiency, discipline and good conduct of the division and for the care and custody of all property used by the division.

The deputy fire chief shall assist the chief and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the chief. In the absence of the chief, they shall have all the powers and perform all duties of the chief.

(9-12-1957, § 1; 5-11-1964, § 1; 11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-703. - Code enforcement division.#

There shall be in the division of code enforcement a chief enforcing officer and such other subordinate officers and personnel as may be prescribed by ordinances of the city and state law.

Emergency management division.

There shall be in the division of emergency management a chief officer as may be prescribed by ordinances of the city and federal and state law.

The appointment and duties of the emergency management director shall be established by Ordinance not inconsistent with this Charter.

CHAPTER 8. - DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES#

Sec. 4-800. - Duties of department.#

There shall be a department of community services. The appointment and duties of the director of community services shall include the supervision and control of Channel One and shall be established by ordinance not inconsistent with this Charter.

CHAPTER 9. - PURCHASING BOARD#

Sec. 4-900. - Purchasing agent.#

The city clerk shall serve as purchasing agent and shall be ex officio nonvoting member of the purchasing board. He/she shall give bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties in the amount fixed by ordinance.

Sec. 4-901. - Functions of the purchasing agent.#

The purchasing agent shall purchase or contract for all supplies, materials, equipment and contractual service, required by any and all departments offices, boards and other agencies of the city government. The purchasing agent shall sell all supplies, materials and equipment, and real property, (as authorized by the mayor with approval of the city council[)], not needed for public use, and shall have authority to transfer between departments, offices, boards and other agencies of the city government any supplies, materials and equipment not needed by one but necessary to the operation of another or others. He/she shall be responsible to see that all department heads make necessary provisions for the storage of materials and equipment for use in their departments. He/she shall provide for the inspection of all deliveries of supplies, materials and equipment, to determine quantity and quality and conformance with specifications. He/she shall cause to be made and kept current an inventory of all equipment belonging to the city.

Sec. 4-902. - Competitive bids.#

The purchasing agent shall be required to secure competitive bids as required by the state municipal purchasing act. Except in an emergency, the purchasing agent shall not make any contract or open market purchase until the accounting division certifies that the department or other agency of the city concerned has, to defray the amount of such order, a sufficient unencumbered appropriation balance and a sufficient unencumbered allotment.

Sec. 4-903. - Contract/small purchase procedures.#

All expenditures for supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services, shall be made on written contracts. All such contracts shall be awarded to the lowest evaluated or responsive bidder, after public advertisement, and receipt of sealed bids, in accordance with the procedure adopted by the purchasing agent and approved by the purchasing board and in accordance with the municipal purchasing act.

Small purchases shall be made by regulations established by the purchasing agent and in accordance with state municipal purchasing act. The amounts that constitute small purchases shall be increased or decreased annually at the same rate as the Boston Regional Consumer Price Index. Procurement requirements shall not be artificially divided so as to constitute a small purchase under this section.

Sec. 4-904. - Preference to local bidders.#

Bids, specifications and all other factors being equal, preference shall be given to the bidder whose place of business is in the city.

Sec. 4-905. - Standards.#

The purchasing agent shall, with the assistance of department heads, classify, standardize, and prepare written specifications and general instructions to bidders required for all bids. The purchasing agent with the approval of the purchasing board shall prepare written standards for all supplies, materials and equipment purchased by city departments.

Sec. 4-906. - Purchases and orders contrary to this Charter void.#

Whenever any department or agency of the city government shall purchase or contract for any supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services, contrary to the provisions of this Charter or the rules or regulations made thereon, such order or contract shall be void and of no effect.

Sec. 4-907. - Exceptions.#

The trustees of public libraries shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter in contracting for, or open market purchasing of books, reading materials, or scientific apparatus.

Sec. 4-908. - Duties of the purchasing board.#

It shall be the duty of the purchasing board to: (1)

Approve or reject all bids except that the purchasing agent shall have no vote on the award or rejection of any bid, and to establish all policies pertaining to purchases to be implemented by the purchasing agent.

(2)

Have all bids opened in a public meeting in its presence.

Sec. 4-909. - Contracts for privatization of municipal services.#

All contracts or awards of bids for the privatization of any public or municipal service for the duration of more than 11 months or in excess of $5,000.00 require the approval of the city council. State statute 45-55-9 [G.L. 1956, § 45-55-9]

(11-7-2000)

Editor's note— An amendment to the Charter adding § 4-909, which pertained to contracts for privatization of municipal services, was approved by the voters Nov. 7, 2000.

Sec. 4-910. - Appeal of purchasing board decision & awards.#

The city council shall hear complaints and appeals from bidders who shall claim unfair discrimination against them in any awards, and sustain or overrule the purchasing board in the awarding of any contract.

CHAPTER 10. - PERSONNEL BOARD#

Sec. 4-1000. - Powers and duties.#

It shall be the duty of the personnel board to: (1)

To prepare with the aid of such experts as it deems necessary, personnel regulations for submission to the council.

(2)

Make any investigations concerning personnel administration which it considers desirable, and to submit recommendations to the council.

(3)

To certify the persons appointed to positions in the classified service.

CHAPTER 11. - BOARD OF APPEALS#

Sec. 4-1100. - Appeals.#

The board of appeals shall hear and consider the appeal of any property owner concerning the amount of their assessed valuation as determined by the tax assessor. The procedure before the board shall be informal and of a nature calculated to effect justice in as simple a manner as possible.

(11-7-2023)

Sec. 4-1101. - Corrections.#

If it shall appear that the valuation of any property has been incorrectly or inequitably assessed, the board shall determine the correct valuation of such property. The board shall submit its findings to the council and the council may cancel, in whole or in part, the tax based upon such valuation, in order to effect a correction. It shall be the duty of the director of finance to make payment of any refund based upon the action of the council.

Sec. 4-1102. - Judicial relief.#

The taking of an appeal to the board of appeals or any action thereon shall not be construed to limit 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 tax assessor.

Sec. 4-1103. - Board meeting.#

The board shall meet on the first business day of the month after the expiration of 20 days subsequent to the date on which taxes become due and payable, and at such times thereafter as may be necessary to hear appeals. No appeal shall be considered unless it is made in writing and is received by the board not later than the time of its first meeting or an adjourned meeting thereof.

Sec. 4-1104. - Restriction.#

No appeal shall be considered by the board of appeals unless the tax levied on the valuation appealed or such portion of the tax as is due and payable has been paid under protest.

CHAPTER 12. - BOARD OF CANVASSERS AND REGISTRATION#

Sec. 4-1200. - Powers and duties.#

The powers and duties of the board of canvassers and registration shall be those now or hereafter vested in the canvassing authority of the city by this Charter, by the laws of the state, and any ordinances of the city not in conflict with the provisions of this Charter or state law.

CHAPTER 13. - TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES#

Sec. 4-1300. - Powers and duties.#

The trustees shall take possession of the library, and shall be the legal guardians and custodians of the library. They shall provide suitable rooms for the library, arrange for the proper care of the library, choose one or more competent persons as librarians pursuant to article VII of this Charter and make all needed rules and regulations for the government of the library and the use of the books; provided, that no fee for the use of the books shall ever be exacted. RIGL 29-4-6; appropriations, gift and other funds shall be established as prescribed in title 29 entitled Libraries.

CHAPTER 14. - RESERVED#

CHAPTER 15. - BOARD OF RECREATION#

Sec. 4-1500. - Powers and duties.#

The board of recreation shall: (1)

Formulate and carry on a comprehensive and coordinated program of active recreation in the parks, playfields, playgrounds and public buildings of the city.

(2)

Cooperate with the school department in coordinating its activities with the recreation program conducted by the school department.

(3)

Cooperate with public and private agencies concerned with recreation.

(4)

Be responsible for the maintenance, improvements and development of the playgrounds, playfields, and other recreational facilities of the city.

CHAPTER 16. - BOARD OF RETIREMENT#

Sec. 4-1600. - Submission of recommendations.#

The board of retirement shall from time to time submit to the council its recommendations concerning retirements.

Sec. 4-1601. - Administration of retirement benefits.#

The board shall administer the retirement system of the city, including those in effect on the effective date of this Charter. No person shall be retired or pensioned without the approval of said board.