Chapter 22
CULTURAL COMMISSION
[HISTORY: Adopted 10-4-1993
by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Somers, effective 10-4-1993.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
~ 22-1. Establishment;
purpose.
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.
~ 22-2. Membership;
appointment; terms of office; vacancies; removal; officers; salaries and
compensation.
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:
(1) Representatives
of private organizations in the Town of Somers.
(2) Representatives
of the Library Board, the Board of Education, the Recreation Commission and the
general public.
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.
~ 22-3. Meetings; quorum.
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.
~ 22-4. Powers and duties.
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.
~ 22-5. Cultural
Coordinator.
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.
~ 22-6. Requests for
appropriations.
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.
~ 22-7. Contracts;
administration.
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.
~ 22-8. Budget; expenditure
of funds.
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.
~ 22-9. Records; minutes.
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.