Powers and Duties
Town By-law. Title II. Article 9.
Human Rights Commission
Section 5.
Functions, Powers & Duties of the Commission
The function of the Commission shall be to implement the policy of this Bylaw by the exercise of the following powers and duties:
A. To initiate activities designed to educate and inform the Town about the effects of prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry through the following actions:
1. To hold public hearings and public forums, make studies and surveys and to issue such publications and such results of investigations and research as, in its judgment, will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination because of race, color, religious views, national origin, gender, citizenship, age, ancestry, family/marital status, sexual orientation, disability, source of income, or military status.
2. Develop and/or recommend courses of instruction for presentation in public and private schools, public libraries and other suitable places, devoted to eliminating prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination and showing the need for mutual respect and the achievement of harmonious relations among various groups in the Town.
3. Create such subcommittees from the members of the Commission as, in the Commission's judgment, will best aid in effectuating the policy of this Bylaw.
4. Enter into cooperative working agreements with federal, state and town agencies, and enlist the cooperation of the various racial, religious and ethnic groups, civic and community organizations and other groups in order to effectuate the policy of this Bylaw. Monitor, publicize and, where necessary, act to increase the diversity on appointed Town boards and committees.
5. Render each year to the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, School Committee and Superintendent of Schools a full written report of all the Commission's activities and recommendations regarding this Bylaw for inclusion the Town Report.
B. To receive and investigate complaints of and to initiate its own complaints and/or investigations of any violations of this Bylaw.
C. To attempt by mediation to resolve any complaint over which it has jurisdiction and to recommend to the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, the Superintendent of Schools or the School Committee, as appropriate, such action as it feels will resolve any such complaint.
D. In the case of any unresolved complaint or in the case of any investigation which would be aided thereby, to hold hearings, administer oaths, take the testimony of any person under oath and, in connection therewith, to require production of any evidence relating to any matter in question or under investigation before the Commission.
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