The text
Sec. 901. - Department of Public Works.#
(a)
Organization. There shall be a Department of Public Works, the head of which shall be the Director of Public Works, who shall be appointed by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Town Council for an initial contract period not to exceed three (3) years. Renewal contracts shall not exceed three (3) years. The Director of Public Works shall have had training and/or experience in administration, engineering, construction, or other professional fields which pertain to the responsibilities of the department, and preferably with a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and any such other qualifications as set by the Town Council pursuant to Section 407 (9) of this Charter. The Director shall be responsible for the efficient operation of all the activities of the Department of Public Works. The organization of the department into divisions, offices or grades shall be made by the Town Council on recommendation of the Town Administrator, in consultation with the Director of Public Works.
(b)
Powers and Responsibilities. The Department of Public Works shall be responsible for the functions and services of the town relating to streets, highways, sidewalks, bridges, water courses, street lighting, waste disposal, recycling, sanitary sewerage and sewerage systems, storm drainage, collection and disposal of garbage and other refuse, the operation of the landfill; for the maintenance, repair and operation of all public buildings and properties, excepting those used by the School Department, belonging to or used by the town; and for such other functions as may be delegated to said department by the Town Administrator. The Director of Public Works shall be in direct control of the Public Works Department and shall report to the Town Administrator.
(Res. No. 2022-0013, (General Election of 11-8-22))
Sec. 902. - Police Department.#
(a)
Organization. There shall be a Police Department, the head of which shall be the Police Chief, who shall have served at least five (5) years in the rank of Lieutenant or higher in any organized law enforcement agency and shall during those years have gained command experience and any such other qualifications as set by the Town Council pursuant to Section 407 (9) of this Charter. The Police Chief shall be employed for an initial contract period, not to exceed three (3) years, by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Town Council. Renewal contracts shall not exceed three (3) years. There shall be such other subordinate officers, patrolmen, special police officers and employees as shall be determined from time to time by the Town Administrator, upon the recommendation of the Police Chief and the approval of the Town Council. The organization of the department into divisions, offices or grades shall be made by the Town Council on recommendation of the Town Administrator, in consultation with the Police Chief.
(b)
Powers and Responsibilities. 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 ordinances of the Town. The Chief of Police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall report to the Town Administrator. Subject to the approval of the Town Administrator and the Town Council, the Chief of Police shall make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all officers and subordinates in the Police Department, including appropriate penalties for their violation which, when approved by the Council by resolution, shall have the force of law and shall be the basis for removals and other disciplinary action as provided therein consistent with the Policeman's Bill of Rights. Changes in such rules and regulations shall be made from time to time in the same manner.
(c)
Interference with Chief of Police. No member of the Council and no member of the Administrator's Office shall interfere or attempt to interfere directly or indirectly with the performance of duties by the Chief of Police, provided nevertheless, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Town Administrator from exercising general supervision over the Police Department and its affairs or to prevent the Council from making any investigation of said department authorized by the provisions of this Charter.
(Res. No. 2022-0013, (General Election of 11-8-22))
Sec. 903. - Fire and Rescue Department.#
(a)
Organization. There shall be a Fire and Rescue Department, the head of which shall be the Fire Chief, who shall have at least ten (10) year's experience with progressively greater responsibility in fire department management, firefighting, fire prevention, and Emergency Medical Services or equivalent experience and any such other qualifications as set by the Town Council pursuant to Section 407 (9) of this Charter. The Fire Chief shall be appointed for an initial contract period not to exceed three (3) years, by the Town Administrator with the advice and consent of the Town Council. Renewal contracts shall not exceed three (3) years. There shall be such other subordinate officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and employees as shall be determined from time to time by the Town Administrator, upon the recommendation of the Fire Chief and the approval of the Town Council. The organization of the department into divisions, offices or grades shall be made by the Town Council on recommendation of the Town Administrator, in consultation with the Fire Chief.
(b)
Powers and Responsibilities. The Fire and Rescue Department shall be responsible for the local enforcement of Rhode Island State Fire Code, all applicable Town Fire Codes, and Command and Control of fires, rescues and other emergencies. In addition, the Fire Chief shall be responsible for the Emergency Medical Service. The Fire Chief shall be in direct command of the Fire and Rescue Department and shall report to the Town Administrator. Subject to the approval of the Town Administrator and the Town Council, the Fire Chief shall make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all officers and subordinates in the Fire and Rescue Department, including appropriate penalties for their violation which, when approved by the Council by resolution, shall have the force of law and shall be the basis for removals and other disciplinary action as provided therein. Changes in such rules and regulations shall be made from time to time in the same manner.
(c)
Volunteer Firefighters. Upon recommendation of the Fire Chief, the Personnel Board shall give special consideration to members of the Tiverton Volunteer Firefighters when filling vacancies on the permanent force. The Fire Chief shall establish a point system to assist in this recommendation.
(Res. No. 2022-0013, (General Election of 11-8-22))
Sec. 904. - Tiverton Emergency Management Agency.#
There shall be an Emergency Management Director appointed by the Town Administrator, responsible for assisting the Town Administrator during an emergency. Duties of the Emergency Management Director shall include preparation and maintenance of an Emergency Operations Plan for the utilization of Town facilities, equipment and personnel during a declared emergency. In addition he/she shall act as the liaison between the Town and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. The Town Administrator shall be the final authority for emergency management decisions in normal day-to-day operations. The line of succession during a declared emergency shall be the Town Administrator, Fire Chief, and Chief of Police.
Sec. 905. - Repealed.#
Sec. 906. - Tiverton Housing Authority.#
The Tiverton Housing Authority shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Town Council for five (5) year terms. These terms shall be staggered so that one (1) term expires each year. Duties and responsibilities shall be in accordance with G.L. tit. 45, ch. 26, as amended.
Sec. 908. - Building Department.#
There shall be a Building Department headed by the Building Official who meets qualifications defined by State Law. The Building Official shall be appointed by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Town Council for an initial contract period, not to exceed three (3) years, and shall be responsible for the supervision of the Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors, the enforcement of ordinances, zoning and other matters assigned to the position pursuant to law. Renewal contracts shall not exceed three (3) years. (a)
Zoning Officer. There shall be a Zoning Officer appointed by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Town Council for an initial period not to exceed three (3) years. Renewal contracts shall not exceed three (3) years. The Zoning Officer may hold both the office of Zoning Officer and Building Official. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to administer and enforce the provisions of the Town Zoning Ordinance.
(b)
Electrical Inspector. There shall be an Electrical Inspector appointed by the Town Administrator for a two year term. The Electrical Inspector shall be responsible for conducting electrical inspections in accordance with applicable Building and Electrical Codes. An Inspection Fee Schedule shall be established by the Town Council and revised periodically.
(c)
Plumbing Inspector. There shall be a Plumbing Inspector appointed by the Town Administrator for a two year term. The Plumbing Inspector shall be responsible for conducting plumbing inspections in accordance with applicable Building and Plumbing Codes. An Inspection Fee Schedule shall be established by the Town Council and revised periodically.
(d)
Mechanical Inspector. There shall be a Mechanical Inspector appointed by the Town Administrator for a two year term. The Mechanical Inspector shall be responsible for conducting mechanical inspections in accordance with applicable Building and Mechanical Codes. An Inspection Fee Schedule shall be established by the Town Council and revised periodically.
Sec. 909. - Director Senior Citizens Center.#
There shall be a Director of the Tiverton Senior Citizens Center appointed by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Town Council for an initial contract period not to exceed three (3) years. Renewal contacts shall not exceed three (3) years. The duties of the Director shall be to administer all programs and activities as may be appropriate to service the elder population.
(Charter Amend. of 11-6-18(1))
Editor's note— See editor's note for § 806.