Mystic River Boathouse Park Implementation Committee
ORDINANCE RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MYSTIC RIVER BOATHOUSE PARK IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the Town of Stonington (hereinafter “Town”) is in the process of purchasing certain real property located at 123 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, Connecticut (hereinafter “subject property”) in order to establish a public park; and
WHEREAS, the subject property offers several challenges to its development, including demolition of existing structures, remediation of contaminated soils, and/or private fundraising of capital for future improvements and amenities; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to establish a committee of qualified residents in order to oversee and coordinate all the necessary steps and procedures to establish a public park at the subject property.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON IN LAWFUL TOWN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED THAT:
Section 1. That the code of ordinances of the Town of Stonington be amended by adding a new ordinance to read as follows:
A. Establishment. There shall be established the Mystic River Boathouse Park Implementation Committee for the Town of Stonington. Said Committee shall be composed of nine (9) regular members and four (4) alternate members, who shall be electors of the Town, not more than five (5) of whom shall be of the same political party, who shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Additionally, the members of the Board of Selectmen shall be ex-officio, non-voting members. The nine (9) regular members of the Committee shall include the following characteristics:
• At least one Member shall be a Member of the Town Board of Finance;
• At least one Member shall be a Member of the Town Board of Education;
• At least one Member shall be a Member of the Town Recreation Commission;
• At least one Member shall be a licensed attorney;
• At least one Member shall have experience in real estate acquisitions and development;
• At least one Member shall reside in Pawcatuck;
• At least one Member shall reside in Stonington; and
• At least one Member shall reside in Mystic Village.
The same regular Member may satisfy more than one of these characteristics and requirements.
B. Membership; Term; Appointments; Vacancies. The nine (9) regular members of such Committee first appointed shall be designated to serve as follows: three (3) members for one (1) year, three (3) members for two (2) years, and three (3) members for three (3) years. The alternate members shall be appointed to serve for three (3) years. Thereafter, each regular member shall be appointed to serve for three (3) years. Each member shall hold office until his/her successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Selectmen.
C. Removal; Compensation. The Board of Selectmen may remove any member for cause, provided each such member shall be afforded notice and a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen prior to removal. All members of the Committee shall serve without compensation for their services, but their necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties shall be paid by the Town within the limits of any appropriation made therefore.
D. Duties. The Committee shall be tasked with the following responsibilities: evaluating and planning improvements at the subject property; clearing, remediating and/or demolishing structures at the subject property; and overseeing the construction of parking, sidewalks and/or other site improvements necessary for the creation of a public park. Said responsibilities shall be conducted within the limits of any Town appropriations and budgets for the subject property, and within the limits of any donations of private funding.
E. Organization; Meetings; Powers. The Committee shall annually elect its own Chair and such other officers as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary. A quorum of the Committee shall consist of at least five (5) members, and no action of the Committee shall be valid unless authorized by a majority of its members present at any duly held meeting. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly every year to carry out its duties as outlined in this ordinance. The Committee shall have the power and authority to apply for and receive state and federal grants from state and federal agencies and other sources on behalf of the Town for establishing a public park at the subject property.
F. Reports. The Committee shall bi-annually prepare and transmit to the Board of Selectmen a report of its activities.
Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 3. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of any other part of this ordinance that can be given affect without the invalid provisions or applications; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance and the various applications thereof are declared to be severable.
Section 4. This ordinance shall become effective fifteen (15) days after Notice of its passage is duly published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Stonington.
Adopted: January 17, 2017
Effective: February 4, 2017