(A) Establishment. The town hereby establishes an Economic Development Commission:
(1) In accordance with the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-136; and
(2) Intending to confer on the Economic Development Commission the powers and duties as currently enumerated in said statute, and all other powers and duties which may thereafter be conferred by the state statutes; and
(2) Intending to promote and develop the economic resources of the town and make appropriations therefor in accordance of said state statutes, as amended.
(B) Members.
(1) The Economic Development Commission shall consist of five members and two alternates, all of whom shall be residents of voting age of the town, who shall be appointed to the said Commission by the Board of Selectmen.
(2) Upon adoption of this section, there shall be appointed one member to serve for a term of one year and until his or her successor shall be appointed and shall have been qualified; one member to serve for a term of two years and until his or her successor shall be appointed and shall have been qualified; one member to serve for a term of three years and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified; one member to serve for a term of four years and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified; and one member and two alternates to serve for a term of five years and until their successors shall be appointed and qualified. Thereafter, upon expiration of each of the said original terms each member and alternate shall be appointed to serve for a term of five years from the date of said expiration and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies, however created, shall be filled by the Board of Selectmen for the unexpired portion of the term of the member creating the vacancy.
(3) The First Selectman, the Chairperson of the Board of Finance, the Treasurer, and the Assessor shall serve as members ex-officio of the Economic Development Commission, without voting rights, and their attendance will not be a factor determining a quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Economic Development Commission shall constitute a quorum. Alternates, as available, shall be appointed by the Chairperson to substitute at any meeting for any absent voting member. All appointments shall be made consistent with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-136(a), with terms of office to run from the date of their appointment or until their successors shall be appointed and qualified.
(C) Chairperson and officers. The Economic development Commission shall annually elect from its voting membership a Chairperson and such other officers as it shall from time-to-time determine may be necessary.
(D) Removal. Any member may be removed by the Board of Selectmen for cause, and, on request of such matter, after public hearing.
(E) Appointing employees. The Economic Development Commission may appoint and engage employees, agents and consultants as may be necessary for the discharge of their duties, upon obtaining the approval of the Board of Selectmen, within the limits of appropriations made therefor.
(F) Duties and responsibilities. The Economic Development Commission shall conduct research into the economic conditions and trends in the town, make recommendations to appropriate officials and agencies of said town regarding action to improve its economic condition and development, shall seek to coordinate the activities of and cooperate with unofficial bodies and organizations to promote such economic development and may advertise and may prepare, print and distribute books, charts and pamphlets which, in its judgment, will further its official purposes.
(G) State and federal grants. The Economic Development Commission shall have the authority to apply for and receive state and federal grants from state and federal agencies and other sources on behalf of the town.
(H) Budget. The Economic Development Commission shall, during January of each year, submit a budget, for the forthcoming fiscal year, for approval of the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and town meeting.
(I) Meetings and reports. Meetings of the Economic Development Commission shall be held at least six times annually and at such other times as the Chairperson shall deem necessary. The Economic Development Commission shall annually prepare and transmit to the town meeting a report of its activities and of its recommendations for improving the economic conditions and development of the town, and shall submit to the Board of Selectmen such other reports as the Board of Selectmen may from time-to-time require.
(Ord. passed 5-7-1986)