Rules of Procedure

Committee Charge

Name: Town Council Rules of Procedure Committee
Type: Ad Hoc
Legal Reference: Amherst Home Rule Charter Sections 2.6(d) and 10.7(p)(i)
Appointing Authority: Town Council President Charter Section 2.2(b)
Number of Voting Members: Five (5)
Composition: Five (5) Town Councilors
Term of Appointment: Six (6) months [May 31, 2019 to comply with Charter Section 10.7(p)(i)]
Special Municipal Employee: Not applicable

The Rules of Procedure Ad Hoc Committee shall propose to the Town Council for adoption rules in conformance with Section 2.6(d) of the Amherst Home Rule Charter adopted on March 27, 2018. That section requires the Town Council to adopt rules regulating the procedures of the Town Council, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i) Regular meetings of the Town Council shall be held at a time and place fixed by measure, but not less than once per month.

(ii) All regular meetings of the Town Council shall provide for a period of public comment. The Town Council may promulgate rules that regulate the period of public comment.

(iii) Special meetings of the Town Council shall be held at the call of the President or at the call of any 3 or more members, for any purpose.

(iv) Emergency meetings, which shall be designated an emergency by the Town Council President, or the Vice President in the absence of the President, shall be posted and conducted in accordance with the general laws.

(v) Minutes shall include a record of each vote taken by each member or shall indicate that the vote was unanimous. Town Council shall provide for a schedule regarding adoption and publication of minutes, in accordance with the general laws.

The Town Council voted to adopt temporary Interim Rules of Procedure on December 3, 2018, and the Council President initially appointed members of this Ad Hoc Committee during that December 3, 2018 meeting.

Reports:

  • a proposed set of Interim Rules of Procedure no later than February 1, 2019 [Charter Section 10.7(p)(i)]
  • a proposed set of Permanent Rules of Procedure no later than May 31, 2019 [Charter Section 10.7(p)(i)]

Town Council Action:

The Town Council shall adopt permanent rules within 6 months of the assumption of office; any rules adopted, whether interim or permanent, must meet the provisions for Town Council rules as stated in Section 2.6(d). [Charter Section 10.7(p)(i)]

Charge Adopted: December 17, 2018 

Charge Amended: January 28, 2019