3898

MUNICIPAL CHARTERS

The Mayor shall serve as Chairman of the Council and
preside at all Council meetings. The Chairman may take
part in all discussions but he shall have no vote except
in a case or cases of a tie vote in which case the
Chairman shall have the right to vote. The Mayor, with
the approval of the Council immediately after the first
Council meeting in June, shall appoint a Vice-chairman
who shall preside at any regular or special meeting of
the Council and shall discharge the duties of the Mayor
during his absence, temporary disability, death or
removal from office.

-14.17. Quorum

A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum
and a quorum is necessary for the transaction of business
but no ordinance shall be approved, nor shall an
authorization for expenditure of unbudgeted items be
approved without the favorable votes of a majority of the
number of members constituting the Council. The Mayor
for all purposes except as hereinbefore noted shall
constitute one of the Council.

-14.18. Rules and orders of business; journal

The Council shall determine its own rules and order
of business. Guidelines shall be set by "Robert's Rules
of Order". It shall keep a journal of its proceedings
and enter therein the "yeas" and "nays" upon final action
on any question, resolution or ordinance or at any other
time if required by any member. The journal shall be
open to public inspection.

-14.19. Vacancies in Council

(a)    If a vacancy exists in the Council, the Mayor
with the majority vote of the Council shall fill the same
for the unexpired term, from the ward from which the
Councilman was elected, and if no one is available, AFTER
due notice in a publication or a newspaper having general
circulation in the Town, then from "at large" in the
Town.

(b)    A vacancy shall be declared to exist if the
Councilman resigns, is deceased, or if no one is elected
in an election or if the Councilman fails to retain all
the qualifications necessary for his election, or is
absent from three regular consecutive Council meetings
and gives no written excuse for his absence.

-14.20. Passage of ordinances, publication, effective
date

No ordinance shall be passed at the meeting at which