§ 6B-3. Establishment of Commission.

In accord with the provisions of Section 7-148h of the Connecticut General Statutes, there is hereby created an Ethics Commission (hereinafter "Commission") for the purpose of the administration of this chapter.

(a) 

Regular members. Said Commission shall consist of five regular members, electors of the Town, who are known for their integrity. No more than two members may be of the same political party. The members shall be appointed in accord with the provisions of Chapter X of the Charter for a term of five years, commencing December 1, 1987, except that, of the initially appointed members, one shall serve for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years and one for five years.

(b) 

Alternates. The Commission shall include three alternates appointed in accord with the provisions of Section 1006 of the Charter. No alternate may be a member of the same political party as another alternate. Alternates shall be appointed for a term of three years, except that of the initially appointed alternates one shall serve a term ending November 30, 2005, one a term ending November 30, 2006, and one a term ending November 30, 2007. All alternates may participate fully in all meetings of the Commission, except that only seated alternates may deliberate and vote on a particular matter. At the outset of any meeting, alternates will be seated by the Commission chair or presiding officer as necessary.

(c) 

Meetings. The Commission shall meet in January of each year to elect a Chairman and such other officers as it deems necessary, all of whom shall be voting members, and to conduct such other business as may be appropriate. The Commission shall establish its rules of procedure, which shall be in conformity with this chapter. Said rules shall be filed with the Town Clerk and shall become effective 30 days after said filing. It shall keep records of its meetings and shall hold meetings at the call of the Chairman or at such other time as the Commission shall determine.

(d) 

Quorum. If, at any meeting, there are an insufficient number of regular members in attendance to establish a quorum, the Chair or presiding member shall recognize and count such number of alternates in attendance that are necessary to make a quorum for the sole purpose of making such quorum and thereafter the meeting may be commenced. After the commencement of the meeting, the Chair or presiding member shall seat alternates, in rotation, to fill as many absent regular member seats as are available. Alternates who are seated after the commencement of a meeting shall be part of the panel that shall consider all matters on that agenda at such meeting and shall remain seated for those matters until they are finally disposed of at that or continued or subsequent meetings irrespective of the later arrival or attendance of any regular member for whom such alternates were seated. Three members, including seated alternates, if any, shall constitute a quorum. A concurrence of three votes shall be required to make a finding of probable cause to believe that a violation of the code may have occurred; to make a determination that a violation of the code has occurred; to issue an order of censure; to make recommendations regarding penalties; to consider, adopt, amend, or revoke an advisory opinion; or to approve withdrawal of a complaint. All other business, including a determination to render a requested advisory opinion, may be conducted by a majority of those present and entitled to vote.

(e) 

Limitation of service. No member or alternate may serve as a Town official, as defined herein, in any capacity other than such service on the Commission.

Ord. of 10-26-1987; Ord. of 9-12-2005; Ord. of 6-11-2007