§ 27. Standing committees enumerated; committee quorum.

(a)

There shall be appointed by the president the following standing committees:

(1)

Finance committee—Consisting of three or five councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation of all matters concerning municipal finance and administration of financial affairs and to work in conjunction with such member as appointed by the president to serve as liaison to the city auditor, city treasurer, city collector, and assessing department. The finance committee shall have initial jurisdiction over the annual city budget and the setting of the property tax rate.

(2)

Legislative and ordinance committee—Consisting of three or five councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include investigation and recommendation on all resolutions, orders, and ordinances. This committee shall have initial jurisdiction over legislation and resolutions proposed by the Commonwealth or the United States government.

(3)

City property and facilities committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and report on all matters coming before the city council concerning city property, engineering, and gas and electric facilities. This committee shall work in conjunction with such member as appointed by the president to serve as liaison to the board of public works and the municipal light board. This committee shall have initial jurisdiction over street acceptances, abandonments, and discontinuances.

(4)

Public health and safety committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and report on all matters coming before the city council concerning public health, public safety (fire, police, and emergency management), human services, traffic, streets, highways, sidewalks, public transportation and street-lighting.

(5)

License committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and recommendation of all applications for licenses and permits submitted to the city council.

(6)

Zoning, planning and development committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and report on all matters coming before the city council concerning all proposed zoning changes within the city. This committee shall work in conjunction with such member as appointed by the president to serve as liaison to the planning board, department of planning and community development, development and industrial commission, and the industrial development and financing authority. The committee shall also submit a report on any new proposals concerning industrial development. This committee shall have initial jurisdiction over all applications for zoning changes.

(7)

Personnel action committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and recommendation on all appointments submitted to the city council.

(8)

Natural resources committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and report on all matters coming before the city council concerning the preservation and enhancement of all natural resources including, but not limited to, issues such as water, sewers and sewage treatment facilities, aquifer protection, and solid waste disposal. This committee shall work in conjunction with such member as appointed by the president to serve as liaison to the conservation commission. This committee shall have initial jurisdiction over the setting of sewer rates.

(9)

Governmental relations committee—Consisting of three councilors whose duties and responsibilities shall include the investigation and report on all matters coming before the city council concerning computer planning and to work in conjunction with such member as appointed by the president to serve as the liaison to the park and recreation commission, airport commission, cultural council, school committee, chamber of commerce, the Massachusetts Municipal Association and such other municipal boards and officers, and civic organizations, not specifically assigned to another committee. This committee will have initial jurisdiction relative to proposals from adjoining communities or districts.

(10)

Long range financial overview committee—Consisting of the president of the council, a member of the finance committee and one to three additional members as appointed by the president. The duties of the committee will be to review long term financial strategic plans, including five-year projections of revenues and expenses, as well as long-term liabilities of the city.

(b)

A majority of the members of a committee shall be a quorum to transact business. A measure shall be considered as recommended upon the vote of a majority of the committee members present and voting.