[Adopted 9-12-1989; amended in its entirety 10-7-2019]
A. 
There is hereby established a West Hartford Prevention Council.
B. 
The purpose of the West Hartford Prevention Council shall be to facilitate activities or make recommendations regarding possible activities to the Town Council, Town Manager or the Director of Social Services, which increase public awareness of substance abuse and prevention initiatives or which promote mental health in the context of overall health and wellness.
C. 
The West Hartford Prevention Council shall provide a written report to the Town Council in January of each year apprising the Town Council of its activities, progress and recommendations for future activity related to its stated purpose.
A. 
The West Hartford Prevention Council shall consist of nine voting and two nonvoting members appointed by the Town Council, and seven nonvoting ex officio members who serve by virtue of their elected office or Town employment.
B. 
The appointed voting members, no fewer than five of whom shall be electors of the Town, shall be determined as follows:
(1) 
One person who is an active member of a parent-teacher organization or parent-teacher association affiliated with a public school located in the Town;
(2) 
One person from the Youth Service Bureau;
(3) 
Two school counselors from either a public or private school located in the Town at the the high school level or middle school level;
(4) 
Three professionals licensed in the State of Connecticut who provide services to individuals on the issues of substance abuse or mental health, including guidance regarding prevention, intervention, treatment or recovery;
(5) 
Two residents who have an interest or expertise in substance abuse or mental health issues.
C. 
The appointed nonvoting members shall be two students currently attending either a public or private high school located in the Town. The term of a student member shall be coterminous with the school year.
D. 
The ex officio members shall include the following: the Mayor of West Hartford, the Chair of the Board of Education, the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Social Services, the Chief of Police and the Chair of the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, or their designee(s), shall serve as ex officio members without a vote. The term of an ex officio member shall be coterminous with his or her office or position.
E. 
At the time of first appointment of the voting members, three members shall be appointed to serve on the West Hartford Prevention Council until December 31, 2020, three members shall be appointed to serve on the West Hartford Prevention Council until December 31, 2021 and three members shall be appointed to serve on the West Hartford Prevention Council until December 31, 2022. Upon the expiration of these initial terms, each subsequent appointment shall be for a term of three years, commencing on the first day of January.
F. 
The members of the West Hartford Prevention Council shall serve without compensation.
A. 
At the first meeting of the West Hartford Prevention Council, and annually thereafter, the West Hartford Prevention Council shall elect from its own members a Chair and a Secretary.
B. 
The Town Manager shall designate one or more representatives from the Town administration to serve as liaison with the West Hartford Prevention Council for the purposes of coordination.