[Adopted by the Legislative Council 10-7-2009 (Ord. No. 93)]
[Amended 10-7-2015]
A Sustainable Energy Commission is hereby established for the Town of Newtown. Said Commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the First Selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. The term of office shall be three years, which shall expire at regularly staggered annual intervals. The Charter provisions on minority representation shall be observed.
The Sustainable Energy Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To identify, implement and support renewable energy use, energy efficiency and energy conservation programs in which the Town's residents, businesses, organizations and Town agencies can participate and that may result in cost savings to the Town or school district.
B. 
To disseminate information relating to cost-effective and environmentally conscious renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and energy conservation programs.
C. 
To support the efforts of Town officials and employees to identify and implement renewable energy use, energy efficiency and energy conservation programs.
D. 
To make recommendations to and receive recommendations from appropriate local, regional, state and federal officials and agencies, boards and commissions regarding action to improve the Town's energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy use.
E. 
To advertise and maintain a website and prepare, print and distribute books, charts and materials, and the Commission may collect, compile and disseminate information relative to the promotion of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy use.
F. 
To support, develop and organize such other programs or innovations as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
A. 
The Commission shall meet monthly, at least 10 times per year, and at such other times as the Commission may determine. A Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary shall be chosen, and the Commission is empowered to adopt rules and regulations for putting into effect the provisions of this article, which rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the provisions thereof. Such rules and regulations shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
B. 
The Commission shall annually prepare and transmit to the Legislative Council and to the Board of Selectmen a report of its activities and of its recommendations for energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy. Such report shall be due on the first day of October in each year. Other reports may be requested from time to time by the Board of Selectmen or by the Legislative Council.
A. 
All funds received by the Sustainable Energy Commission from any source other than a specific gift or bequest shall be placed in the custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown to be held, administered and disbursed by the Financial Director as part of and through the General Fund of the Town of Newtown, subject to any limitations on the use of the funds. The Sustainable Energy Commission shall authorize the disbursement of all funds appropriated by the Town for the purposes of energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy.
B. 
All funds received by the Sustainable Energy Commission from a specific gift or from a specific bequest shall be placed in the custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and shall be kept by the Financial Director in an account that shall be known as the "Sustainable Energy Commission Gift Fund," which account shall be separate and distinct from all other Town accounts. Disbursements from the Sustainable Energy Commission Gift Fund shall be made on order of the Sustainable Energy Commission only, in accordance with the terms of the specific gifts or bequests which make up the fund. With proper documentation, all checks drawn on the Gift Fund shall be signed by the First Selectman and the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown. The funds referred to herein are for the exclusive use of the Sustainable Energy Commission and shall not be used for any purpose other than as authorized by the Commission.
Members of the Commission shall serve without pay. Necessary expenses of members incurred in the performance of their duties may be paid from funds appropriated for such purpose, if any.