Town of Woodbridge, CT General Provisions

Fire Commission. The Commission shall be responsible for the general management and control of the Fire Department and of the property and equipment used in connection therewith.

Board of Police Commissioners. The Board shall have general management and control of the Police Department of the Town of Woodbridge and of the property and equipment used in connection therewith.

Human Services Commission. The Commission shall study conditions and needs of persons in the community particularly with respect to economic conditions, employment, health, housing, recreation, and other matters related to the general welfare. It shall advise the Board of Selectmen and persons responsible for provision of such services as to personnel, programs, and activities necessary to meet the above purpose.

Conservation Commission. The Commission shall recommend to the Board of Selectmen the preservation, development and conservation of natural resources, including water resources, within the Town of Woodbridge.

Economic Development Commission. The Commission shall be responsible for the promotion and development of the business and industrial resources of the Town of Woodbridge.

Inland Wetlands Agency. The Inland Wetlands Agency shall be responsible for the protection and preservation of the wetlands and watercourses of the Town of Woodbridge.

Investment Committee. The Committee shall manage, control, invest and reinvest all trust and special funds which the Town has acquired, or hereafter may acquire, by bequest, trust, will or other devise.

Library Commission. The Library Commission shall be responsible for the management and regulation of the Town Library.

Publicly Owned Property Commission. The Commission shall be responsible for making recommendations on the proper usage of all publicly owned property in the Town of Woodbridge.

Recreation Commission. The Commission shall be responsible for the development and review of all plans and/or programs to meet the recreational and leisure time needs of the community.

Sperry Park Committee. The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the parcel of land known as "Sperry Park."

Town Plan and Zoning Commission. See § 7-10 of the Charter.

§ 75-2 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to provide for uniform procedures, as specified herein, for all ordinances of the Town of Woodbridge creating boards and commissions.

§ 75-3 Scope.

This article shall apply to all boards and commissions created by ordinance except to the extent that the creating ordinance shall otherwise provide.

§ 75-4 Duties and powers.

Except as otherwise provided by Charter or statute, each board or commission shall have the duties and powers as set forth in the ordinance creating it subject to the general supervision and approval and control of the Board of Selectmen.

[Amended 10-14-2009, effective 11-13-2009]

Each board or commission shall submit to the Board of Finance annually a statement of the estimated amount of monies needed by it to perform its required or authorized duties in the manner provided by law and may make application to the proper governmental agencies for such grants as may be available to promote the objectives and purposes of said board or commission.

§ 75-5 Membership and terms of office.

[Amended 11-21-2023]

Members of boards and commissions shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen biennially as of the first day of January in odd-numbered years so that terms of not more than 1/2 nor a bare majority shall expire in any one year, except as hereinafter provided. The terms of all board and commission members shall be four years. The members shall serve until their successors are appointed and take office.

§ 75-6 Eligibility.

All members of boards and commissions shall be voters of the Town of Woodbridge.

§ 75-7 Vacancies.

Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Selectmen.

§ 75-8 Removal.

Any member may be removed by the appointing authority for cause; provided, however, that such removal shall take place only after a public hearing, if a request for such hearing is made by said member within 30 days of written notice of termination.

§ 75-9 Compensation and expenses.

Members of boards and commissions shall serve without compensation, but necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties shall be paid by the Town, upon approval by the Board of Selectmen.

§ 75-10 Meetings.

Said boards and commissions shall elect a Chairperson,[1] Secretary, and such other officers as it shall deem expedient at its first meeting in each odd-numbered year. Meetings shall be held on a regular basis as decided upon by such boards and commissions, but no fewer than six times per calendar year unless otherwise provided. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson, or by a majority of the members of the boards or commissions. The dates, time, place and minutes of said meetings shall be filed with the office of the Town Clerk and with the Board of Selectmen. A majority shall constitute a quorum.

[1]

Editor's Note: Throughout this chapter, the term "Chairman" was amended to "Chairperson" at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

The holding of one joint public hearing on any matter or application for a proposal that requires review or approval by more than one agency, board, commission or committee of the Town is hereby authorized in accord with § 7-159a of the General Statutes, if such joint public hearing is requested by the applicant or by an agency, board, commission or committee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require that such joint public hearing be held.

(1)

The holding of one joint public hearing shall not affect the running of applicable time limits for decision by the agencies, boards, commissions or committees involved, unless such time limits are waived by agreement.

(2)

The holding of one joint public hearing shall not alter the decisionmaking standards and procedures applicable to each entity whose review or approval is required, including public notice of the time and place of such public hearing as required by applicable law. Such public notice may be published jointly.

§ 75-11 Voting.

The Chairperson of each board and commission shall be entitled to a vote, notwithstanding his acting as the Chairperson. Except as provided by the Charter, in the event of a tie vote, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional vote.

§ 75-12 Reports.

Within 60 days following the close of each fiscal year, each board or commission shall render to the Board of Selectmen a report, in writing, of its actions during such fiscal year in such form and detail as the Board of Selectmen shall determine and approve.

§ 75-13 Gifts, devises or bequests.

All funds received by the Town as gifts, devises or bequests for the benefit of a board, commission or committee shall be placed in the treasury of the Town for use of such board, commission or committee and shall be kept separate from other monies of the Town and shall be withdrawn only by authorized officers upon authenticated vouchers of such board, commission or committee.

§ 75-14 When ordinances become effective.

All ordinances creating boards or commissions shall take effect 31 days after their adoption.