These by-laws have no bearing upon the conduct of any public hearing or executive session. These by-laws are only for the use of the Commission in conducting its internal business. No provision of these by-laws is intended to conflict with any provision of the Town Charter and/or the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut and in case of such conflict the Town Charter and/or the General Statutes shall prevail. In the absence of an applicable by-law provision, Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply.

ARTICLE I – COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT
The Historic District Commission shall consist of five (5) members and three (3) alternate members, who shall be electors of the Town of Westport, to be appointed by the First Selectman.

ARTICLE II – MEETINGS
1. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held monthly. The schedule of meetings for the coming year will be filed with the Town Clerk by January 31. Advance announcement of the meetings and the agenda thereof shall be sent to all members and alternates and to the Town Clerk. Quarterly meetings and all Certificates of Appropriateness hearings shall also be noticed in a local newspaper not more than 15 days or less than 5 days before such hearing.

2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be held at the call of the chairman or at the request of any two members of the Commission. Notice of such meetings shall be filed with the Town Clerk at least 24 hours in advance specifying business to be transacted.

3. Executive Session
Executive sessions may be called only for purposes permitted by State Statute, and upon affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting.

4. Emergency Meetings
Emergency meetings may be called by the chairman or at the request of a member of the Commission.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS
A chairman, vice-chairman and clerk shall be elected at the first quarterly meeting taking place after appointments to the Commission are made by the First Selectman in November. Nominations for officers shall be discussed in December. Election shall be by majority vote. All officers shall serve for one year, or until their successors are elected.

ARTICLE 4 – QUORUM
Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business of the Commission. When less than five members are present, the chairman may appoint the number of alternates required to make a full Commission. The alternates shall be chosen to serve in rotation. The alternates so appointed have the right to vote in all matters before the Commission at that meeting. At those meetings of the Commission at which the election of officers is to take place or the boundaries of a proposed historic district are to be determined, the required quorum shall be five, at least three of whom are members.

ARTICLE V – ATTENDANCE
Any member or alternate who fails to attend three consecutive meetings, or who fails to attend at least 50% of the meetings during the year, may be asked to resign upon notification by the Commission to the First Selectman.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT
These by-laws may be amended from time to time at any meeting of the Commission by majority vote. Notice of proposed revisions shall be presented in writing one month in advance to all members and alternates. These by-laws are subject to the Westport Historic District Commission Regulations and Procedures.

Adopted May 1973. Amended September 1977. Amended May 1994. Amended December 1995.