Every proposed ordinance shall be filed with
the Town Clerk by a member of the Council not later than four (4)
business days prior to the day of the meeting at which it is to be
introduced. The Town Clerk shall forthwith post one (1) copy of the
proposed ordinance in some place accessible to the public in the Town
Hall and shall provide each member of the Council with a copy.
[Amended 11-8-1988; ratified by Town Council 2-10-1992; 11-2-2010]
Every proposed ordinance, other than an emergency
ordinance, shall be read a first time by title and explained by its
sponsor at the meeting at which it is to be introduced. An affirmative
vote of three (3) of the members of the Council shall be necessary
for its introduction. A date shall be set for a hearing on the proposed
ordinance. At least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing,
the proposed ordinance shall be published in a newspaper having distribution
within the town.
[Amended 11-8-1988; ratified by Town Council 2-10-1992]
Unless otherwise scheduled, the hearing on the
proposed ordinance shall be held at the meeting following its introduction.
No action shall be taken on the ordinance until the conclusion of
the hearing.
The affirmative vote of three (3) Council members
shall be necessary for the passage of any ordinance.
[Amended 11-8-1988; ratified by Town Council 2-10-1992; 11-2-2010]
In an emergency affecting the public peace,
health, safety, comfort and welfare of the inhabitants of the town
and for protection of persons and property, the Council by an affirmative
vote of three (3) members may adopt, on the day of its introduction,
an ordinance containing a declaration of emergency, which shall take
effect upon its passage. The nature of the emergency shall be specifically
stated in the ordinance, and such declaration shall be conclusive
as to the existence of such an emergency. Within twenty (20) calendar
days after passage of an emergency ordinance, the Council shall hold
a hearing to inform the public of the emergency and the action taken.
Every emergency ordinance shall automatically stand repealed as of
the sixty-first (61st) calendar day following the date on which it
was adopted; but this shall not prevent reenactment of the ordinance
in the manner specified in this section if the emergency still exists.
The enacting clause of all ordinances shall
be: "The Town Council of the Town of Charlestown hereby ordains......"
[Amended 11-2-2010]
Upon its final passage each ordinance or resolution
shall be authenticated by the signature of the Town Clerk and shall
be recorded in a book kept for that purpose. Within seven (7) calendar
days after final passage, each ordinance shall be published at least
once in such manner as the Council may prescribe by ordinance.
After the introduction of any ordinance or resolution
in the Council, the Town Clerk shall keep available a copy of the
proposed ordinance or resolution, together with all amendments thereto,
which shall be a public record.
A.
The Council within two (2) years of the effective
date of this Charter shall cause to be prepared and published a revision
or recodification of the ordinances of the town. Thereafter, revisions
or recodification of the ordinances shall be made at least every ten
(10) years. Any revisions or codification shall be prepared under
the supervision of the Town Solicitor, but the Council may authorize
the Town Solicitor to contract for the services of persons or organizations
experienced in the revision and codification of ordinances and statutes.
