(A) Number and term. The elected officials of the town shall be seven Councilmembers (including the Mayor) who shall constitute the Town Council. Councilmembers shall serve four-year, staggered terms as provided by state law. Each Councilmember shall continue in office until the assumption of duties of office by his or her duly elected and sworn successor. Councilmembers elected in 2011 or appointed to fill the term of a Councilmember elected in 2011 shall serve until the assumption of duties by Councilmembers elected in the Fall 2014 election. Councilmembers elected in the Spring 2013 election shall serve until the assumption of duties by Councilmembers elected in the Fall 2016 election.
(B) Any form of action permissible. The corporate powers of the town shall be vested in the Council and shall be exercised only as directed or authorized by law. All powers of the Council shall be exercised by ordinance, resolution, order, or motion.
(C) No artificial limit. The Town Council has the power, in the name of the town, to do and perform all acts and things appropriate to a municipalcorporation and the general welfare of its inhabitants,which are not specifically prohibited by the constitution, the town ordinance or state or federal laws.
(D) Majority rule. The Council acts as a body. Policy is established by majority vote. A decision of the majority binds the Council to a course of action. The Council majority may be a majority of the quorum of the Council.
(E) No special powers. No Councilmember has extraordinary powers beyond those of other members (except as may otherwise be provided in state law). All members, including the Mayor, have equal powers.
(F) One office. No member of the Council is permitted to hold any other town office or town employment (except as may otherwise be provided in the town ordinance).
(G) Assumption of office. Immediately prior to assumption of the duties of office, each Councilmember shall sign the Council Code of Ethics and take and subscribe to the oath of office. The oath shall be given by the Town Magistrate or by the Town Clerk. Councilmembers of the town shall assume the duties of office at the first regular meeting of the Council in December next following the date of the primary or general election at which the Councilmembers were elected. Assumption of an elected office will result in the automatic resignation of all other town offices, elected or appointed.
