[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
There is hereby established the Human Relations Advisory Commission
(the "HRAC") of the Town of Westfield having the powers and duties
hereinafter enumerated.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
The purpose and mission of the HRAC is to provide an egalitarian,
welcoming, inclusive, safe, and productive community for the residents,
local businesses, and visitors of the Town. It will do so by creating
and fostering programming, both formal and informal, that will address
conditions of bias, discrimination and prejudice by increasing our
mutual understanding and respect of one another. The HRAC shall strive
to:
(a) Cultivate
a community-wide environment that does not tolerate prejudice of any
kind, as it undermines the dignity of every person involved;
(b) Engage
individuals, groups, and organizations to become active in such a
vision;
(c) Educate
the community about the presence and dehumanizing impact of both discrimination
and prejudice through formal and informal programming; and
(d) Promote
policies and practices that encourage equal opportunity for all.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
The HRAC shall consist of nine members plus two alternate members,
who shall be designated at the times of their appointment as "Alternate
No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." All members of the HRAC shall be appointed
by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Town Council. All
members shall serve without compensation and must be residents of
the Town. To the greatest extent possible, the ethnic composition
of the HRAC shall be comparable to that of the Town. An alternate
member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not
vote except in the absence or disqualification at that meeting of
a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular
member may vote instead of an alternate member. If a choice must be
made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall
vote first. The Mayor shall annually designate the Chairperson of
said HRAC. The HRAC shall select a Vice Chairman and such other officers
from its members as the HRAC may determine.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a) All
members of the HRAC shall serve for a term of three years, except
that upon the original organization of the Commission, three members
shall be appointed for a term of one year; three members for a term
of two years and three members for a term of three years. Thereafter,
the term of each member shall be for three years. Alternate members
shall serve for a term of two years except that upon the original
appointments, one alternate shall serve for one year and one alternate
shall serve for two years. Thereafter, the term of each alternate
shall be for two years. All members shall serve until a successor
is duly appointed and qualified. The appointment of a member to an
unexpired term shall be for the unexpired term of said member only.
The Mayor or his/her designee, along with the Town Administrator,
shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the HRAC.
(b) One
regular member of the HRAC shall be appointed annually by its members
to serve as a liaison to the Mayor's Senior Advisory Council, for
such time as that Council is active.
(c) Any
member of the HRAC may be removed by the Mayor and Council for cause,
on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon,
at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by
counsel. In the event of a vacancy, whether for cause or by resignation,
the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint another
person to fill the unexpired term of such vacancy.
(d) In
addition, cause for removal may be found where a member is absent
without prior notification to the Chairperson from three consecutive
meetings or from 50% of the HRAC's regularly scheduled meetings for
a year. The Chairperson shall report such absenteeism to the Mayor
every six months or as requested.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a) The
HRAC shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Council of
the Town of Westfield and shall attempt to foster, through community
effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation between
the diverse inhabitants of the Town. The HRAC shall make recommendations
to the Mayor and Council for the development of bylaws, policies,
and procedures for the Commission in general. Additionally, the Commission
shall recommend to the Mayor and Council formal and informal educational
programs that will aid toward the elimination of all types of discrimination
based upon, but not limited to, race, color, religious creed, national
origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation,
or genetics.
(b) The
HRAC shall, in conjunction with and in cooperation with other Town
departments and agencies, advise on the development of programs that
will promote among residents the health, education, welfare, employment,
economics, recreation, and the total prosperity of the diverse people
of the Town.
(c) The
HRAC shall perform other reviews and assignments from time to time
as may be requested by the Mayor and/or governing body of the Town.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a) The
Town Council may, but is not required to, annually appropriate funds
for the use of the HRAC. The HRAC shall conduct its affairs and policies
each year within the amount appropriated by the Town Council for such
purposes and at no time shall expend more than the sum so appropriated.
[Added 2-25-2020 by G.O. No. 2159; amended 3-24-2020 by G.O. No. 2168]
(a) Regular
meetings of the HRAC shall be held at the call of the Chairperson,
provided that a meeting may also be called upon the written request
of four regular members of the HRAC. At least two days' notice of
any such meeting shall be given to all regular and alternate members
unless such notice is waived in writing.
(b) A
quorum shall consist of a majority of the regular members of the HRAC
except that in the absence of a regular member an alternate member
may take the place of a regular member in establishing said quorum.
(c) The
HRAC shall make an annual report, in December, to the Mayor and Town
Council of its activity, and shall make such recommendations periodically
as may be necessary to carry out the Commission's purposes.