At each biennial election there shall be elected seven members of the Town Council, hereinafter referred to as the "council", all for terms of two years, who shall serve without compensation. Not more than five of the members shall be of the same political party. No member shall hold more than one elected or appointed office under the government of the Town of East Hampton. During the term of office for which he is elected, and for one year thereafter, they may not be appointed to any position of remuneration within said government. This prohibition shall not preclude any elected official from volunteering in any capacity.
The council shall hold an organizational meeting on the first Wednesday following the regular biennial town election in November, 1989, and biennially thereafter, for the purpose of choosing one of its members to be chairman, but this office shall not deprive the chairman of his vote on any question. He shall preside over all meetings of the council and perform such other duties consistent with his office as may be imposed by the council. He shall be recognized as the official head of the town for all ceremonial purposes, for military purposes and for the purpose of serving civil process. During his absence or disability his duties shall be performed by another member chosen by the council except as otherwise specifically provided in this charter.
At the first meeting of the council following each biennial town election said members shall fix the time and place of their regular meetings and provide a method for the calling of the special meetings. They shall by resolution determine their own rules of procedure. All meetings of the council for the transaction of business shall be open to the public and the votes shall be recorded as prescribed by Section 1-225 of the General Statutes, as amended. Four members shall constitute a quorum, but no ordinance, resolution, or vote, except a vote to adjourn or to fix the time and place of the next meeting, shall be adopted by less than four affirmative votes.
Except as otherwise provided in this charter the council shall have the powers and duties conferred by the general and special laws of the state upon Boards of Selectmen of towns. The legislative power of the town shall be vested in the council except for those powers specifically reserved for the town meeting. The council shall have the power to enact, amend or repeal all ordinances which the legislative body of the town is empowered to adopt, and shall have the power to create or abolish by ordinance, boards, commissions, departments or offices except as otherwise provided for in this charter, and to establish by resolution such study, advisory or consulting committees as they may determine to be necessary or appropriate for the general welfare of the town. The council shall adopt and revise, as necessary, a uniform personnel policy for all employees of the town except employees of the Board of Education. The council may contract for services and the use of facilities of the United States or any federal agency, the State of Connecticut and any political subdivision thereof, or may by agreement join any such political subdivision to provide services and facilities. Each year the council shall submit to the Board of Finance a policy statement outlining its annual budget goals and objectives for the ensuing fiscal year. The council shall appoint for an indefinite term and may remove a Town Manager.
At least one public hearing ten days notice of which shall be given by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in the town and by posting in such public place or places as the council shall by ordinance prescribe, shall be held by the council or a committee thereof before any ordinance shall be passed. The passage of such ordinance shall be advertised in one or more newspapers having a circulation in said town and shall not become effective until 20 days after such publication provided, an ordinance stated to be a public emergency measure and stating the facts constituting such public emergency shall become effective immediately after such publication and no public hearing shall be required for any public emergency measure. Every such emergency ordinance, including any amendments thereto, shall automatically stand repealed at the termination of the 61st day following final passage of said ordinance. All ordinances shall be filed with the town clerk, and recorded, complied and published by him as required by law.