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All Boards/Commissions
The Town Council shall appoint members for, and shall fill vacancies on boards and commissions in accordance with this Charter and/or as prescribed by the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island. All appointees shall be residents of the Town of Warren. Elected officials shall not serve as members of any Town board or commission. The Town Council may, however, designate liaisons to boards and commissions, who shall have no voting rights. Each board and commission shall annually elect a chairperson and a secretary; shall keep records of meetings and attendance; and shall submit an annual report to the Town Council or, at the Council's discretion, make a presentation, providing an overview of its work over the past year, presenting relevant data, and discussing future goals and priorities.
Section 17.01 - Planning Board#
(a)
The Planning Board shall consist of seven (7) members and two (2) alternates appointed by the Town Council from among electors of the Town of Warren for a term of three (3) years. Said terms will be staggered so that no more than three terms will expire in any given year. No member of the Planning Board shall be an elected official or employee of the Town of Warren. The Town Council shall appoint replacements to fill vacancies on the Board in accordance with this Charter. The Board shall annually elect a Chairperson and such other officers, as it may deem appropriate from among its membership.
(b)
The Planning Board shall have the duties and responsibilities provided for in State law and such additional, duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed by the Town Council not in conflict with the State law. The Planning Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Town Council in all matters concerning the Comprehensive Plan, land use, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, physical growth and development of the Town of Warren.
(c)
There shall be a committee to assist the Planning Board to be known as the Technical Review Committee (TRC), which is established in accordance with R.I.G.L. 45-23-56 to conduct technical reviews of all applicants subject to the jurisdiction of the Planning Board. The Warren Building Official shall be a member of the Technical Review Committee. The remaining membership of the TRC will be determined by the Planning Board. However, no more than one (1) member of the Planning Board may serve on the TRC with regard to a specific application.
Section 17.02 - Zoning Board#
(a)
The Town Council shall appoint members of the Zoning Board in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.
(b)
The duties of the Zoning Board shall be those as outlined in the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.
(c)
No member of the Zoning Board shall be an elected official or employee of the Town of Warren.
Section 17.03 - Conservation Commission#
(a)
The Conservation Commission shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Town Council for three (3) year terms, staggered so that no more than three (3) terms expire in any one year. Vacancies shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the unexpired term in accordance with this Charter. The Conservation Commission shall annually elect a Chairperson and such other officers as they deem appropriate.
(b)
The Conservation Commission shall report to the Town Council and act as an advisory body to all the Town of Warren agencies on conservation matters including: Fresh and salt water surface and groundwater protection, watershed protection, flood plain protection, compliance with Freshwater Wetlands Acts, storm water runoff and other non-point source pollution, compliance with soil erosion and sediment control regulations, underground storage tanks, compliance with RI individual sewage disposal system regulations, environmental impact of the Town landfill and solid waste management, compliance with regulations that protect coastal areas including salt marshes, bogs, ponds, beaches, shores, cliffs, banks, and wetlands, protection of environmentally sensitive or unique areas, protection of conservation, recreation, and open space areas, protection of rights-of-way, easements, and other public access areas, protection of shellfish and finfish resources, protection of agricultural and soil resources, protection of wildlife and its habitat, protection of air quality, roadsides and woodlands, protection of the rural integrity, scenic, cultural and historic character of the Town of Warren as well as any other powers and duties granted by law or by ordinance.
Section 17.04 - Board of Canvassers#
There shall be a bipartisan canvassing authority of which the members shall be selected by the Town Council as provided by the Constitution and General Laws of the State of Rhode Island. Said Canvassing Authority shall be known as the "Board of Canvassers and Registration", and shall be vested with all the powers and duties now or hereafter vested by law in such canvassing authority. The Town Council shall fill vacancies on the Board in accordance with applicable State law.
Section 17.05 - Harbor Management Commission#
The Harbor Management Commission shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Town Council for three (3) year terms, staggered so that no more than three (3) terms expire in any one year. The Commission shall serve the Town Council in an advisory capacity with respect to matters relating to the conditions, uses, management, maintenance, and improvements of the harbor and other water and waterfront infrastructure, facilities, resources, and related programs, projects, and services; shall assist the Harbor Master in carrying out their duties and responsibilities; and shall make recommendations to the Town Manager as requested or as it deems appropriate.
Section 17.06 - Juvenile Hearing Board#
There shall be a five (5) member Juvenile Hearing Board with two (2) alternate members who shall be appointed by the Town Council for a term of three (3) years in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island and ordinances of the Town of Warren. The powers of the Juvenile Hearing Board shall be as prescribed by law or by ordinance.
Section 17.07 - Bristol County Water Authority#
The Bristol County Water Authority was established by RI Public Law in 1981, Chapter 102, as amended, to provide adequate, clean water to Bristol County. The legislation provides for a nine (9) person Board of Directors comprised of three (3) directors from each town of Bristol, Warren, and Barrington.
Directors from each town are appointed for a period of three (3) years, with staggered terms. The Warren Town Council, therefore, shall appoint one (1) director each year. Appointed directors shall report quarterly to the Warren Town Council or as requested.
Section 17.08 - Tree Commission#
There shall be a Tree Commission consisting of five (5) members appointed by the Town Council from among the electors of the Town of Warren for a term of three (3) years. Said terms shall be staggered so that no more than two (2) members' terms expire each calendar year. The Tree Commission is an advisory board to the Town Council and the Technical Review Committee.
The Commission shall: (1)
Advise the Tree Warden on the removal of trees and on appropriate trees to be planted on Town property.
(2)
Work with the Tree warden to develop and maintain an inventory of the trees of the Town as well as a long-term plan for the protection, care, removal, replacement, and addition of trees in the Town, taking into account the importance of trees to environmental quality and public health, energy conservation, and community character, and the need to carefully coordinate tree planting and management with infrastructure planning, construction and maintenance, and with proposed development.
(3)
Develop guidance for the Department of Public Works, the Planning Board, and property owners, regarding proper selection, planting, and care of trees; implement tree programs and educational activities; and
(4)
Review appeals by applicants whose applications for removal of trees have been denied by the Tree Warden, or by persons otherwise aggrieved or affected by the application process.