[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Charlestown 10-15-1985 as Ch. 144. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 382]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the
town with an up-to-date and useful Home Rule Charter. Toward this
end, it is also the purpose of this chapter to provide procedures
for the orderly development of proposed revisions or amendments to
the Charter and for presentation of any recommendations to the electorate
in public forum prior to placing any such changes on the ballot for
vote at a general or special election.
[Amended 8-13-1991 by Ord. No. 181]
A.
There is hereby established a Charter Revision Advisory
Committee whose members shall be appointed by the Town Council. The
Town Council shall appoint no less than three (3) nor more than seven
(7) members to the Committee. The members so appointed shall serve
terms commensurate with the term of office of the Town Council appointing
them. The Town Council shall appoint one (1) member as Chair.
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 382; 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 398]
B.
In addition to the appointed members of the Committee,
a member of the Town Council and the Town Administrator shall be ex
officio members of this Committee, without voting rights. Legal counsel
shall be provided by the Town Solicitor.
C.
The Committee shall hold as many meetings as it deems
necessary, but no less than one (1) each calendar year. Special meetings
may also be held at the call of the Chair or upon the request of a
majority of the members of the Committee.
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 382; 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 398]
[Amended 8-13-1991 by Ord. No. 181]
A.
At least once annually, the Committee shall meet for
the purpose of reviewing the Home Rule Charter. The Committee may
schedule as many workshop sessions, public meetings and/or public
hearings as it deems necessary to complete its review.
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 382; 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 398]
B.
In the event that the Committee determines that revisions
or amendments to the Home Rule Charter should be made, the Committee
shall forward its recommendations to the Town Council after first
conducting a public hearing or hearings and affording opportunity
for public debate, review and discussion of the proposed revisions
or amendments. The Committee shall then act to forward any recommendations
for revision or amendment to the Town Council. In the event that there
are no changes to be recommended, the Committee shall so inform the
Town Council.
C.
The Committee shall conduct all of its meetings and
hearings pursuant to Title 42, Chapter 46, of the Rhode Island General
Laws, Open Meetings, as the same may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 382]
The resolution adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Charlestown on August 10, 1982, in regard to amending
the Home Rule Charter, shall remain in full force and effect and is
incorporated by reference in this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The resolution adopted on 8-10-1982 reads as follows: "Be it resolved, that the Town Council may by majority vote, hold a public hearing, duly advertised, on any proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter. After said public hearing, if by vote of the majority of the Town Council approving said proposed amendment, the proposed amendment shall be placed on the ballot for vote by the Electors at the next general or special election, "And/or the Town Council may hold a public hearing upon presentment of a written petition signed by 250 Electors of said Town setting forth a proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter. A public hearing, duly advertised, shall be held on the proposed amendment and if after hearing the proposed amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the Town Council, then the same shall be placed on a ballot for vote by the electors of said Town at the next general or special election. "This resolution shall be governed by the Rhode Island Constitution, Article XXVIII, Amendment 28, Sections 1 through 12, and by the Home Rule Charter of the Town of Charlestown, Article XVII, Chapter 3, Sections 1 and 2." The resolution adopted on 8-10-1982 predated the renumbering of the Charter for this codification. Article XVII, Chapter 3, sections 1 and 2 of the Charter are now to be found as §§ C-208 and C-209.
A.
The Town Council shall have the responsibility to
advertise and hold a public hearing on any proposed revisions or amendments
at least sixty (60) days prior to any general or special election.
These provisions shall not be construed to prevent
any other method of amendment to the Home Rule Charter as authorized
by law.
