Community Corner
Unauthorized Charter Change - Intentional Act or Clerical Error?
Who? When? Why? An unauthorized change to the Coventry Home Rule Charter was discovered this week. The unauthorized change makes a difference in how a vacant Town Council seat is filled. The difference is filling the vacancy by special election or by Town Council appointment until the next general election. (See Below)
The District 5 seat was vacated on February 28, 2014 leaving District 5 without representation. District 5 voters were denied their right to a special election based on an erroneous legal opinion by the Coventry Town Solicitor. An emergency meeting of the Coventry Board of Canvassers has been called for Wednesday, May 21, 11:00 a.m., Coventry Town Council Chambers, 1670 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI.
Find out what's happening in Coventrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Mark Curtis, ABC 6, broke the story today at 5:30 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Coventrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
See the letter included with this post that was sent by a District 5 resident to the Board of Canvassers, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Council and Town Solicitor for details.
Unauthorized Charter Change - See for yourself!:
Coventry Home Rule Charter with Unauthorized Change
Section 3.06. Filling vacancy.
If a vacancy shall occur in the Town Council twelve (12) months or more prior to the next regular election, a special election shall be called by the Town Clerk in the manner prescribed by law to fill such vacancy. If, by the thirtieth day after the vacancy occurs, the Town Clerk shall have failed to call such special election, then the Board of Canvassers and Registration shall call such election to fill such vacancy within forty-five (45) days of the date of occurrence of such vacancy. If such vacancy shall occur less than twelve (12) months prior to the next regular election, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by the remaining members of the Town Council. The vacancy shall be filled by a qualified elector from the same district.
Coventry Home Rule Charter as Authorized by the Coventry Voters
Section 3.06. Filling vacancy.
If a vacancy shall occur in the Council six months or more prior to the next regular election, a special election shall be called by the Town Clerk in the manner prescribed by law to fill such vacancy. If by the 30th day after the vacancy occurs the Town Clerk shall have failed to call such special election, then the Board of Canvassers and Registration shall call such election to fill such vacancy within 45 days of the date of occurrence of such vacancy. If such vacancy shall occur less than six months prior to the next regular election, the vacancy shall be filled, for the unexpired term, by the remaining members of the Council. The vacancy shall be filled by a qualified elector from the same district.
