The text
Footnotes:
--- (2) --- Cross reference— Responsibility of town council regarding civil defense, § 6-3; when members of the council to be paid, § 7-5.
State Law reference— Councils and governing bodies, G.L. 1956, § 45-5-1 et seq.
Sec. 2-26. - Regular meetings.#
Regular meetings of the town council shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month and the president shall call the council to order promptly at 7:00 p.m.
(Code 1967, § 2-30; Ord. of 3-8-2011)
Sec. 2-27. - Special meetings.#
The president may call a special council meeting at any time provided he gives timely notice, either orally or in writing, to each member of the council. The president must call a special meeting upon the written request of three (3) or more members of the council.
(Code 1967, § 2-31)
Sec. 2-28. - Reserved.#
Editor's note— Ord. of Mar. 8, 2011 deleted § 2-28, which pertained to invocation and derived from the Code of 1967, § 2-32.
Sec. 2-29. - Quorum.#
A majority of the persons elected members of the town council shall constitute a quorum, the affirmative vote of a minimum of three (3) town council members at any legal meeting may determine any matter legally before them.
(Code 1967, § 2-33; Ord. of 3-8-2011)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 45-5-3.
Sec. 2-30. - Agenda.#
(a)
No business will be discussed at a regular council meeting unless the same be on the agenda or unless the same be permitted by consent of the majority of the council members present.
(b)
Any member of the town council desiring to place an item on the agenda must notify the town clerk no later than 12:00 noon the Tuesday immediately preceding the meeting by a written statement adequately describing the item to be placed on the agenda.
(c)
Any correspondence addressed to the town council or president as head of the town council, shall be placed on the next regular meeting's consent agenda.
(Code 1967, § 2-34; Ord. of 3-8-2011; Ord. of 6-9-2015)
Sec. 2-31. - President.#
(a)
The president shall preside at all council meetings.
(b)
He shall preserve order and decorum. He may speak in preference to the members, and shall decide all questions of order. He shall declare all votes.
(c)
Any motion shall be reduced to writing if the president shall so direct.
(d)
In the absence of the president, the members present, if a quorum, shall elect a president pro tempore who shall perform all the duties of the president and be clothed with all his powers.
(Code 1967, § 2-35)
Sec. 2-32. - Reserved.#
Editor's note— Ord. of Mar. 8, 2011 deleted § 2-32, which pertained to secretary and derived from the Code of 1967, § 2-36.
Sec. 2-33. - Order of business.#
(a)
The order of business for town council meetings shall be as follows:
(1)
Pledge of Allegiance.
(2)
Presentations, if any.
(3)
Appointments, if any.
(4)
Interviews, if any.
(5)
Acceptance of minutes.
(6)
Consent agenda.
(7)
Petitions, if any.
(8)
Public hearings, if any.
(9)
Introduction of ordinances, if any.
(10)
Old business.
(11)
New business.
(12)
Reports of the manager, department heads, solicitor, if any.
(13)
Adjourn.
(b)
All business on the agenda not disposed of at the time of adjournment shall be first in order on the agenda for the next meeting.
(c)
When any member is about to speak or to deliver any matter to the council, he shall respectfully address himself to "Mr. President," and the presiding officer shall recognize the member who shall first address him. When two (2) or more members address the president at the same time, the president shall name the member who is to speak first. A member shall not be interrupted while speaking except by a call to order. If called to order the member shall immediately cease speaking, unless permitted by the council to proceed, which shall be determined upon motion without debate. No member shall speak more than once on the same question until the other members who have not spoken shall speak if they so desire.
(d)
No motion shall be debated until it is seconded. A motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time before a vote is taken on the motion.
(Code 1967, § 2-37; Ord. of 3-8-2011; Ord. of 4-14-2026)
Sec. 2-34. - Public hearings.#
(a)
Whenever a public hearing has been duly scheduled, the town sergeant shall, immediately prior to the hearing, obtain the names of the persons in the council chamber who wish to be heard and the approximate number of minutes they intend to speak.
(b)
The president of the council may limit the time allotted each speaker.
(c)
No persons will be permitted to speak until properly recognized by the president of the council.
(d)
All speakers will direct their remarks to the president of the council and will not engage in an argument or discussion with any other person attending the hearing.
(e)
No person will be allowed to speak a second time until all persons desiring to speak have spoken at least once.
(f)
The president of the council will announce the public hearing rules at the commencement of each public hearing session.
(Code 1967, § 2-38)
Sec. 2-35. - Parliamentary practice.#
The rules of parliamentary practice shall govern the council in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or the General Laws of the state.
(Code 1967, § 2-39)
Sec. 2-36. - Smoking prohibited.#
No smoking shall be permitted at any council meeting.
(Code 1967, § 2-40)
Sec. 2-37. - Adjournment.#
The town council shall not remain in session later than 11:00 p.m. on any meeting day without the consent of the majority of the members present.
(Code 1967, § 2-41)