Chapter 118

2006 -- S 2890

Enacted 06/16/06

A N A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ELECTION AND QUALIFICATION OF OFFICERS

Introduced By: Senators Lenihan, and Sheehan

Date Introduced: March 08, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-4-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-4 entitled "Election and

Qualification of Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-4-1. Officers to be elected. -- (a) The electors in each town shall, on their town

election days, choose and elect as many town officers as are required by the laws of the state; that

is to say, a moderator to preside in all the meetings of the town, and a town clerk, a town council

to consist of not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) members, a town treasurer, a town

sergeant, a town sealer of weights and measures, one or more auctioneers, a number of assessors

of taxes, not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7), as may be deemed necessary, one or

more collectors of taxes, one or more corders of wood, one or more packers of fish, one or more

poundkeepers, one sealer of leather, and as many constables, directors of public welfare, viewers

of fences, gaugers of casks, and other officers as are required by law in the town and as each or

any town has occasion for, including persons to superintend the building of chimneys and placing

of stoves and stovepipes; provided, that in the town of East Greenwich no constables shall be

elected under the provisions of this section.

      (b) It is further provided that in the town of Burrillville no corders of wood, packers of

fish, sealers of leather, gaugers of casks, and persons to superintend the building of chimneys and

placing of stoves and stovepipes shall be elected under the provisions of this section.

      (c) It is further provided that in the town of Exeter, no tax collector shall be elected

under the provisions of this section. The town council of the town of Exeter shall amend the

Exeter town ordinances to provide for and entitle the town council to appoint a tax collector who

shall serve at the pleasure of the town council and who may be removed for cause shown

pursuant to section 44-7-5. Qualifications for the position shall be set by the town council and

compensation paid as approved by the town financial meeting. The tax collector shall perform all

duties previously required of the elected tax collector in the town of Exeter and any other duties

required by law.

(d) It is further provided that in the town of North Kingstown, no sealer of weights and

measures shall be elected or appointed under the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02638

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