Chapter 117

2012 -- H 7047

Enacted 05/30/12

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO THE TOWN OF NORTH PROVIDENCE

          

     Introduced By: Representatives Corvese, Schadone, San Bento, and Hull

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2012

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 2-1-6 in Chapter 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 237 of the Public Laws

of 1973 entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Town of North Providence”, as amended, is hereby

further amended to read as follows:

 

     2-1-6 Meetings.

     (a) At least one regular meeting shall be held commencing at 7:30 7:00 p.m. on the first

Tuesday of each month and if such day is a legal holiday by the laws of the state, or an election

day, the meeting shall be held on the following day, except that the first regular meeting in

January of each odd numbered year shall be held on the second Tuesday of the month.

     (b) Special meetings may be held at such other times as the council may deem necessary

to transact business of the town. The mayor, council president or four (4) members of the council

may call a special meeting provided the person or persons calling such special meeting notify or

cause the town clerk to notify all council members by letter delivered by a messenger via

electronic transmission or by registered or certified mail to the residence of each council member

at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the holding of such meeting stating its place, time, date and

purpose. Only such stated business shall be transacted at such meeting unless all members are

present and consent to act upon other business.

     (c) All regular and special meetings shall be held in the council chamber of the town hall

and be open to the public. In the event a regular or special meeting is to be held elsewhere, notice

shall be given to the residents of the town by advertising the same in a newspaper of general

circulation and circulated within the town pursuant to the Rhode Island Open Meetings Act

(RIGL Chapter 42-46) at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time scheduled for the start of

such meeting. Such notice shall state the place, time, date and purpose of the meeting and reason

for removal from the council chamber. All meetings of committees of the council shall be open to

the public.

     (d) An emergency meeting shall be held when called by the mayor, president of the

council or four (4) council members by giving each council member notice thereof at his place of

residence by telephone, by letter delivered by messenger or by telegram. Such notice shall state

the place, time, date and purpose of the meeting. An emergency for which such a meeting may be

held shall be one where immediate action is required to preserve and protect the property, public

welfare, peace, health or safety of the people in the town and adequate prior action could not have

been taken in relation thereto under normal circumstances. The preamble of any resolution or

ordinance passed at such meeting shall state the nature of the emergency and such resolution or

ordinance or any other action taken at such meeting shall be limited to matters directly relating to

the stated emergency.

     (e) A quorum of four (4) members shall be necessary before the council may transact any

business but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum shall be present.

     (f) Executive meetings of the council and of committees thereof may be held only for the

consideration of personnel matters where publicity relating thereto would not be in the public

interest or would be unjustly injurious to the person or persons involved, or matters concerning

the purchase or sale of town property wherein advance public information as to final action to be

taken thereon would be detrimental to the interests of the town. Prior to holding such executive

meeting a vote shall be taken in an open meeting on the matter with at least a general statement as

to the subject to be discussed in the closed executive meeting and after the meeting is decided,

information shall be given as to the nature of the action taken and a vote shall be taken thereon in

an open meeting.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

     

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LC00139

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