[(6)(17)(18)(19)]
The following are the elective offices of the Town of Ridgefield:
First Selectperson and Registrars. The following are the elective
boards of the Town of Ridgefield: Board of Selectpersons, Board of
Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Inland Wetlands Board,
Board of Appeals on Zoning, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of
Police Commissioners and Board of Finance.
[(19)]
Nomination of federal and state officers, including Registrars
of Voters, and of such elective municipal officers and boards as are
provided for in this Charter, shall be conducted and the registrars
of voters shall prepare lists of electors qualified to vote therefor,
in the manner prescribed in the Constitution and General Statutes
of the State of Connecticut, except as hereinafter provided.
[(4)]
A meeting of the electors of the Town of Ridgefield, hereinafter
called the "regular Town election," shall take place on the Tuesday
following the first Monday in November 1979, and biennially thereafter.
Special Town elections may be called from time to time in accordance
with the General Statutes.
Except as otherwise provided by this Charter or the General
Statutes, all elective Town officers shall take office on the second
Tuesday following the day of the regular Town election at which they
were elected, and they shall continue in office until their successors
have been chosen and qualified. Officers who are elected for a deferred
term of office shall take office the following year, on the second
Tuesday following the day of the regular state elections. Except as
otherwise expressly provided for in this Charter, the Registrars of
Voters and Judge of Probate shall take office as provided for the
General Statutes. [(19)]
The Town Clerk and the registrars of voters shall constitute
the board of admission of electors in accordance with the provisions
of Section 9-15a of the General Statutes.
[(2)(15)(18)(19)]
A person who at the time of his or her election is not both an elector and resident of the Town shall not be eligible for election to any Town office, and any person ceasing to be either an elector or resident of the Town shall immediately notify the Town Clerk, in writing. Such person shall cease to hold elective office in the Town and the office shall be deemed vacant as of the date such person ceased to be an elector or resident of the Town and such vacancy shall be filled pursuant to Section 4-7. No person shall be eligible to run for more than one elective office of the Town of Ridgefield at the same election where the terms of such offices overlap. All elective officers shall be sworn before taking office and the officer administering the oath shall record such fact in the office of the Town Clerk.
[(5)(19)]
Minority representation on any elective board shall be determined
in accordance with provisions of the General Statutes, unless otherwise
specified in this Charter.
The maximum number of any such board who may be members of the
same political party shall be as specified in the following table:
|
Total Membership
|
Maximum One Party
|
|---|---|
|
3
|
2
|
|
4
|
3
|
|
5*
|
4*
|
|
6
|
4
|
|
7
|
5
|
|
8
|
5
|
|
9
|
6
|
|
More than 9
|
2/3 of total membership
|
|
*However, in accordance with the General Statutes, the maximum
number of members of a five-member Board of Selectpersons who may
be members of the same political party shall be three.
|
[(15)(18)(19)]
In the event an elected Town office becomes vacant, due to a tendered written resignation or any other cause, the Town Clerk shall, upon becoming aware of the vacancy, provide prompt notice of the vacancy to the Board of Selectpersons. The Board of Selectpersons, within 30 days of the later of: (a) the effective date of the resignation, or (b) the date the Board receives written notice from the Town Clerk of the vacancy, shall, by majority vote, appoint an interim replacement for the unexpired portion of the term or until the next regular election as defined in Section 9-1 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, whichever event shall first occur. Within seven days of the later of: (a) the effective date of the resignation, or (b) the date the Board receives written notice from the Town Clerk of the vacancy, notice shall be given by the Board of Selectpersons, for publication, in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town for the purpose of filling said vacancy
In the event an elected board member's position becomes vacant due to a tendered resignation or any other cause, the Town Clerk shall, upon becoming aware of the vacancy, provide prompt notice of the vacancy to the such board. The affected board, within 30 days of the later of: (a) the effective date of the resignation, or (b) the date the board receives written notice from the Town Clerk of the vacancy, shall, by majority vote, appoint an interim replacement for the unexpired portion of the term or until the next regular election as defined in Section 9-1 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, whichever event shall first occur. If such board fails to fill a vacancy within 30 days, the Board of Selectpersons shall fill the vacancy by majority vote. Within seven days of the later of: (a) the effective date of the resignation, or (b) the date the board receives written notice from the Town Clerk of the said vacancy, notice shall be given by such board, for publication, in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town for the purpose of filling said vacancy
When the person vacating the office shall have been elected
as a member of a political party, such vacancy shall be filled by
the appointment of a member of the same political party.
Vacancies on the Board of Selectpersons shall be filled in the
manner prescribed in Section 9-222 of the General Statutes.
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Board of Selectpersons
or board, as the case may be, from commencing the process set forth
herein to fill an elected office, or vacancy on a board once the resignation
has been tendered, in writing, to the Town Clerk.
[(5)(12)(13)(15)(19)]
Commencing with the regular Town election of November 2007,
and at each regular Town election quadrennially thereafter, the electors
shall elect a First Selectperson and four members of the Board of
Selectpersons who together shall comprise the Board of Selectpersons.
No more than three members of such Board of Selectpersons may be members
of the same political party; no elector may be a candidate for both
the office of First Selectperson and that of the Board of Selectpersons
by virtue of nomination by a major or minor party or a nominating
petition or registration of write-in candidacy, or any combination
thereof. Pursuant to provisions of Section 9-188 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, votes cast for a candidate for First Selectperson
shall count for that office only. Votes cast for an unsuccessful candidate
for First Selectperson shall not be counted as votes for such a candidate
as a member of the Board of Selectpersons. Electors may vote for the
same number of candidates for the Board of Selectpersons as there
are members to be elected to the Board at any election. Commencing
with the November 2007 election, these officers shall serve terms
of four years, and shall have the powers and duties prescribed by
law. [1]
The Board of Education shall consist of nine members, who shall serve four-year terms each. Five members and four members shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17. Electors may vote for the same number of candidates as there are members to be elected to the Board at any election. The maximum number of board members from any one political party shall be determined by Section 4-6. [(11)(12)(19)]
The Board of Education shall maintain good public elementary
and secondary schools and provide such educational activities as in
its judgment will best serve the interests of the Town. The Board
of Education shall make continuing study of the need for school facilities;
shall have the care, maintenance and operation of buildings, lands,
apparatus and other property used for school purposes; shall employ
and dismiss administrators and teachers of the schools; shall perform
all acts required of them by the Town or necessary to carry into effect
the powers and duties imposed upon them by law.
[(11)(17)(18)(19)]
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of nine members, who shall serve four-year terms each. Five members and four members shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17.
The functions and responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning
Commission include the preparation and adoption of a Plan of Conservation
and Development, the designation of zoning districts in accordance
with that plan, and the preparation, adoption, and implementation
of zoning and subdivision regulations in furtherance of the Plan of
Conservation and Development as specified in Chapters 124 and 126
of the General Statutes. To the extent provided by the General Statutes,
and within the limits of its appropriations, the commission shall
appoint, by vote of a majority of its members, a Director of Planning
and a Zoning Enforcement Officer, and engage such employees as are
necessary for its work and may contract with professional consultants.
The Board of Appeals on Zoning shall consist of five members, and three alternates who shall serve five-year terms each. Two regular members and two regular members shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17. Alternate members shall be elected as provided in Section 4-17. Such Board shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law.[(19)]
The functions and responsibilities of this Board include:
a)
Determining and varying the application of zoning regulations of
the Town of Ridgefield as specified in the Connecticut General Statutes.
b)
Hearing and deciding appeals where it is alleged there is an error
in any order, requirement, decision of the official charged with the
enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance, as specified in the Connecticut
General Statutes.
[(15)]
[(12)(14)(19)]
The Board of Assessment Appeals shall consist of three members who shall serve four-year terms each. Two members and one member shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17. Electors may vote for the same number of candidates as there are members to be elected to the board at any election. Such Board shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law.
The functions and responsibilities of this Board shall include
the hearing of grievances regarding tax assessments, and the making
of such adjustments to the Grand List as are provided for by Section
12-111 et seq. of the General Statutes.
The Board of Police Commissioners shall consist of five members who shall serve four-year terms each. Three members and two members shall be elected at alternate Town Elections, as provided in Section 4-17.[(19)]
The Board of Police Commissioners shall organize, maintain,
and have the general management and control of the Police Department
and its apparatus and equipment. It shall have the powers and duties
prescribed by law.[(19)]
It shall make all necessary regulations for the government of
the Police Department not contrary to law and prescribe suitable penalties
for the violation of any such regulation, including suspension or
removal from office of any officer or member of the Police Department.[(19)]
The Board shall have the sole power of appointment, promotion
and removal of the officers of the Police Department.
[(4)(7)(12)(16)(17)(19)]
(a)
Composition.
|
The Board of Finance shall consist of five members who shall serve four-year terms each. Three members and two members shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17. The members shall choose a chair from its members annually at the first meeting in January.
|
(b)
Procedure.
|
The Board of Finance shall establish a schedule of regular meetings
to be not less than 10 in any calendar year, and cause such schedule
to be posted in the office of the Town Clerk.
|
|
Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. When meetings
other than those regular meetings scheduled above are to be held,
notice of such special meetings shall be posted in the Town Hall and
notification shall be as required in the General Statutes. Notice
shall also be given to those Town agencies specifically affected by
such meetings. Decisions of the Board shall be made by a majority
of those present. Three members shall constitute a quorum.
|
|
The Board of Finance shall have its own budget which shall include
a clerk of the Board of Finance who shall keep a record of all notes
and minutes and shall be custodian of all appropriate documents of
the Board.
|
(c)
Annual Town financial report.
|
The Board of Finance shall prepare and publish the annual Town
financial report electronically. The Board of Finance budget shall
include an appropriation for the publication of the annual Town financial
report.
|
(d)
Annual financial audit.
|
The Board of Finance shall engage a certified public accountant
or a firm of certified public accountants to perform an annual audit
of the Town books as required by the General Statutes. The approved
budget of the Board of Finance shall include the necessary appropriation
for cost of the certified public accountant or firm so engaged. Said
agreement to engage such public accountant or firm shall then be sent
to the Board of Selectpersons for approval.
|
|
After the annual audit by an independent public accountant as
provided by the General Statutes, the certification of such public
accountant as to the scope of the audit shall be included in the Town's
annual financial report. Copies of the auditor's comments and recommendations
shall be made available to the public at Town Hall and the Town library.
|
(e)
Powers and duties.
|
The Board of Finance shall recommend a budget at the Annual Town and Budget Meeting, set the mill rate by resolution following budget approval, review requests for additional appropriations, determine how the Town financial records are kept, arrange for an annual Town audit for Town records, prepare and publish the annual Town financial report, and shall have the powers and duties in accordance with Article X of the Charter, the General Statutes and applicable ordinances.
|
|
The Board of Finance shall have all powers and duties provided
by this Charter and by the General Statutes. It shall be the chief
financial and budget-making authority of the Town with a primary responsibility
of establishing and maintaining the Town in a sound overall financial
condition. It shall do this by considering financial aspects of municipal
government as a whole rather than from the viewpoint of any particular
Town agency, and ensure, as far as feasible, the payment of the municipality's
current debts out of current income.
|
|
The Board of Finance shall receive monthly financial statements
from the controller and from the superintendent of schools. It shall
conduct a quarterly review for the purpose of determining that the
budget is proceeding according to plan.
|
[(18)[1]]
The Inland Wetlands Board shall be comprised of seven members who shall serve four-year terms each. Four members and three members shall be elected at alternate Town elections, as provided in Section 4-17. In accordance with Section 4-3 of the Charter, the members of the Inland Wetlands Board first elected at the November 2019 general election shall take office on the date of the second Tuesday following their election. Until that date, the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall continue serving in the capacity of members of the Inland Wetlands Board pursuant to the authority granted in former Section 4-11 and effective on that date the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall cease serving in such capacity.[(19)]
The members of the Inland Wetlands Board shall choose a chair
from its members at its first organizational meeting and annually
thereafter. The Inland Wetlands Board shall have such powers, duties,
responsibilities and obligations as are prescribed from time to time
by the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act, Sections 22a-36 through
22a-45, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.[(19)]
Within the limits of its appropriations, the Inland Wetlands
Board, by a majority vote of its members, shall appoint an Inland
Wetlands Agent and engage such other employees as are necessary for
its work and may contract with professional consultants.
All new members of the Inland Wetlands Board shall, within one
year of taking office, complete or provide proof of their prior completion
of the statutorily required training program for inland wetlands agency
members.
[(7)]
By ordinance submitted to and approved by the Town Meeting,
additional elective boards may be established, as provided for in
the General Statutes. Such ordinance shall specify the board's powers
and duties, enabling statute, terms of office, and method of filling
vacancies.
[(16)(19)]
The number of members elected to boards at regular Town elections
during each successive four-year interval shall be as follows:
|
Regular Town Election of 2019
and Every Four Years Thereafter
|
2021 and Every Four Years Thereafter
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Board of Education
|
5
|
4
|
|
Planning and Zoning Commission
|
4
|
5
|
|
Board of Appeals on Zoning
|
1 + 1*
|
1 + 1*
|
|
Board of Appeals on Zoning - alternates
|
(as determined by successive five-year terms)
| |
|
Board of Assessment Appeals
|
1
|
2
|
|
Board of Police Commissioners
|
2
|
3
|
|
Board of Finance
|
3
|
2
|
|
Inland Wetlands Board
|
4
|
3
|
|
*Members elected to a deferred term of office, starting on the
succeeding year.
|
[(15)]
No person shall hold more than one elective office of the Town
of Ridgefield at the same time.
Any person who holds an elective office or seat on any elective
board of the Town of Ridgefield is prohibited from holding any other
position on any other elective board of the Town of Ridgefield at
that time. [(19)]
