The text
Sec. 701. - Planning board.#
There shall be a Planning Board for the Town made up of five (5) members appointed by the Town Council, each to serve for a term of five (5) years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The term of one member of the Board shall expire on the last day of June in each year. The Council may appoint two (2) auxiliary members of the Board, each to serve in said position for a term of five years, who may be called upon to sit as members of the Board in order to ensure that there are five Board members present for any hearing or decision. In the event that any matter before the Board is likely to be continued for more than one hearing, the chairperson may request that an auxiliary member participate at the hearings, and the auxiliary member shall be authorized to vote on the matter when and if an active member becomes unable to serve at those hearings. The Board shall advise the Council on all matters concerning the growth and development of the Town and the effects thereof on the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants. The Board shall have the duties and responsibilities provided by state law for such Boards, and in particular those conferred on planning boards under the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act and related legislation as amended from time to time. The Board shall play such a role in long range capital planning and the preparation of the Town capital budget as the Council may direct; shall submit recommendations on all matters referred to it relating to the Town zoning ordinance, land subdivision, and proposals for development in the Town as requested by the Council; and shall conduct such studies and other activities related to its general area of responsibility as the Council may direct.
(Res. of 11-7-00; Amd. of 11-7-06, § 4; Amd. of 11-4-08)
Sec. 702. - Zoning Board of Review.#
There shall be a Zoning Board of Review made up of five (5) members appointed by the Council, each to serve for a term of five years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The term of one member of the Board shall expire on the last day of June in each year. The Council may appoint two (2) auxiliary members of the Board, each to serve in said position for a term of five years, who may be called upon to sit as members of the Board in order to ensure that there are five Board members present for any hearing or decision. In the event that any matter before the Board is likely to be continued for more than one hearing, the chairperson may request that an auxiliary member participate at the hearings, and the auxiliary member shall be authorized to vote on the matter when and if an active member becomes unable to serve at those hearings. The Board shall have all the powers and duties now or hereafter vested by law in zoning boards of review.
(Amd. of 11-7-06, § 4; Amd. of 11-4-08)
Sec. 703. - Conservation Commission.#
The Council may create a Conservation Commission for the purpose of promoting and developing the natural resources, protecting the watershed resources, and preserving natural esthetic areas within the Town. The Commission shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Council, each to serve for a three-year term, with the terms so arranged that as nearly as possible one-third will expire each year on the last day of June.
Duly incorporated and existing wildlife, conservation, sportsmen's, horticultural or like organizations may present to the Council a list of qualified citizens from which lists the Council must select at least three (3) members of the Commission and from which list the Council may select the remainder. In the furtherance of its purposes, the Commission shall conduct research, distribute information, inventory all open space within the Town and make recommendations for their preservation and utilization, and carry out such additional responsibilities as prescribed in state law or requested by the Council.
(Ord. of 11-5-24(2))
Sec. 704. - Board of Tax and Assessment Review.#
(a)
There shall be a Board of Tax and Assessment Review consisting of three members and one alternate who shall be appointed by the Town Council to serve for terms of three (3) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified, in accordance with G.L. 1956, Chapter 95-218 and the 1996 amendment thereto.
(b)
The Board of Tax and Assessment Review shall hear and consider the appeal of any property owner concerning his or her assessed valuation or annual tax bill in accordance with state law, as the same may be amended from time to time, and shall have such other powers and duties as established by state law. Appeals from decisions of the Board shall be in accordance with state law.
Sec. 705. - Personnel Board and Personnel Policies.#
(a)
There shall be a Personnel Board of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the Council for terms of five (5) years. For the initial appointment of the Board the terms shall be so arranged that the term of one member shall expire on the last day of June of each year.
(b)
The duties of the Personnel Board shall include the following:
(1)
Preparing personnel policies and procedures for review and consideration by the Town Council, including:
(i)
Developing job descriptions and qualifications;
(ii)
Defining conditions of employment; and
(iii)
Preparing a personnel handbook;
(2)
Reviewing the personnel policies and procedures annually;
(3)
Is omitted.
(c)
The personnel policies and procedures of the Town shall insure equal opportunity and non-discriminatory treatment for all Town employees and candidates for employment by the Town and mandate affirmative action practices in the advertising and solicitation of candidates for employment.
(Amd. of 11-3-98)
Sec. 706. - Compensation of Board and Commission Members.#
The members of Town Boards and Commissions shall be entitled to such compensation as the Financial Town Meeting shall approve each year in the annual budget.
Sec. 707. - Water Resources Advisory Board.#
There may be a Water Resources Advisory Board for the Town made up of five (5) members appointed by the Town Council, each to serve for a term of five years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. For the initial appointment of the Board the terms shall be arranged so that the term of one member shall expire on the last day of June in each year. The Board shall advise the Council on all matters concerning the protection of the Town's water supply by reviewing all plans and proposals for construction or installation of public water distribution facilities which may affect the Town's water supply.
(Amd. of 11-3-98)
Sec. 708. - Library Board of Trustees#
(A)
There shall be a Library Board of Trustees for the library of the Town and shall be made up of seven (7) members appointed by the Town Council. After the appointment of the first Board, the members thereof shall meet and be divided by lot into three (3) groups the terms of office of one group expiring in one year from the date of their appointment, those of another group in two (2) years, and those of the remaining group in three (3) years. With the expiration of the term of office of any member the vacancy shall be filled by the Town Council for the term of three (3) years. Vacancies occurring by resignation, removal, death, or otherwise, shall be filled as above for the unexpired term thereof.
(B)
The trustees 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, recommend an annual operating budget, and make all needful rules and regulations for the government of the library. The Board of Trustees shall carry out all duties and discharge the responsibilities of library trustees as set forth in state law.
(Amd. of 11-3-98)
Sec. 709. - Rural Land Preservation Trust.#
(A)
There shall be a Rural Land Preservation Trust which shall be created pursuant to State law and established by ordinance. The Trust shall be empowered to acquire, hold, and maintain interests in property for purposes to include, but not be limited to, the preservation of open space, the protection of natural resources, the maintenance of the rural character of the Town and the provision of land and interests therein for public recreation.
(B)
The Trust shall be administered by five Trustees appointed by the Exeter Town Council for such terms as may be established by ordinance. The Trustees shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be established by ordinance, shall be electors of the Town, shall serve without compensation, and shall hold office until their terms have expired and their successors have been appointed and qualified. No trustee shall be an elected officer or paid employee of the Town.
(Ord. of 3-2-2014; Amd. of 11-4-2014)