[HISTORY: Adopted 10-4-1993 by the Board of Selectmen of
the Town of Somers, effective 10-4-1993. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Cultural Commission
to fund, advise, originate, coordinate and encourage, within the Town
of Somers, participation in and promotion, development, acceptance
and appreciation of artistic and cultural activities, which shall
include, but are not limited to, music, theater, dance, painting,
sculpture, architecture, literature, film and allied arts and crafts,
and to this end the Cultural Commission may join or contract with
any entities, including consultants, private patrons, individual artists
and ensembles and with institutions and grant organizations, local
sponsoring organizations and professional organizations. The Commission,
by majority vote, shall determine what events are deemed to be cultural.
A.
The Commission shall consist of twelve (12) electors
or residents of the Town of Somers, who shall be appointed by the
Board of Selectmen, and one (1) ex officio member, who shall be the
First Selectman, and who shall vacate their positions on ceasing to
be electors or residents of the Town of Somers.
B.
The twelve (12) Commission members appointed may,
but are not required to, include among its membership the following:
C.
As soon as is convenient after the Commission is established,
the Board of Selectmen shall appoint four (4) members of said Commission
who shall serve for one (1) year, four (4) members who shall serve
for two (2) years and four (4) members who shall serve for three (3)
years.
D.
All vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Selectmen
for the unexpired term of the vacating member. Despite the expiration
of his/her term, a member shall continue to hold office until replaced
or reappointed by the Board of Selectmen.
E.
Any member may be removed for cause by the Board of
Selectmen, in accordance with the Town Charter, or for failing to
attend three (3) consecutive meetings.
F.
The Commission shall annually elect its Chairperson
and other officers as it shall from time to time deem appropriate.
G.
No action by the Commission, except as herein otherwise
specifically stated, shall be valid unless authorized by a majority
of its members present and voting, provided that there is a quorum.
H.
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
The Commission shall have the authority to adopt
rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings, to be filed
with the Town Clerk. A majority of its members shall constitute a
quorum, and the Commission shall hold regular meetings once a month,
open to the public, except when in executive session according to
Section 1-18 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended (the
Freedom of Information Act).[1] Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson at any
time or upon written request to the Chairperson by any four (4) members.
[1]
Editor's Note: The reference to Section 1-18
of the Connecticut General Statutes should be to Section 1-18a
The Commission shall maintain a survey of public
and private facilities engaged in cultural activities within the town
and determine the needs of the citizens and the methods by which existing
resources may be utilized or new resources developed to fulfill these
needs. It shall also maintain a calendar of events which it shall
deem cultural and disseminate such to the public and local media and
coordinate and organize an annual fall fest.
A.
The Commission shall have the authority to employ
a Cultural Coordinator and other personnel it deems appropriate, subject
to the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the availability of
funds.
B.
The Cultural Coordinator shall be responsible for
implementing the actions of the Commission and discharging any directives
of it.
While it is intended that the Commission shall
be self-supporting, the Commission shall have the authority to request
the legislative body of the Town of Somers to make appropriations
to cover the expenses of the Commission, including reasonable funds
for official stationery, clerical services, office space, telephone
and postage.
The Commission may make, subject to the Town
Charter and applicable town law and within the scope of its budget,
all contracts necessary to carry out the objectives and purposes of
the Commission, and the Commission shall have such powers and perform
such other duties as may be necessary for proper administration of
the affairs of the Commission.
A.
Prior to the preparation of the annual town budget,
the Commission shall submit a detailed budget of its anticipated revenues
and expenses to the Board of Finance with approval of the Board of
Selectmen.
B.
The Commission shall have the authority to expend
any funds appropriated by the Board of Finance in the discharge of
its duties. Within the limitations of state law, the Commission shall
have the authority to receive and expend private, public, federal
and state grants, subject to appropriate financial controls established
by the Board of Finance and overseen by the Treasurer. It shall also
have the authority to expend any funds which are donated, devised
or bequeathed, for cultural purposes, subject to the same financial
control procedures.
The Commission shall maintain accurate records
of its activities and of all meetings, in minutes, which shall be
on file with the Town Clerk and open to the public.
