Membership

902.1. New members. The zoning board of review shall consist of five members who are qualified electors of the city, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, each to hold office for the term of five years; provided, however, that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one, two, three, four, and five years respectively. The board shall also include two alternates, to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, to be designated as the first and second alternate members, for terms of five years. These alternate members shall sit and may actively participate in hearings. The first alternate shall vote if a member of the board is unable to serve at a hearing and the second shall vote if two members of the board are unable to serve at a hearing. In the absence of the first alternate member, the second alternate member shall serve in the position of the first alternate. No member or alternate may vote on any matter before the board unless they have attended all hearings concerning such matter. No member or alternate may participate in any way whatsoever on any matter for which they would have a conflict of interest as defined by the Rhode Island law and the Rhode Island ethics commission. Vacancies in unexpired terms of board members shall be filled by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council, no more than 90 days following the vacancy. Members may be removed by the mayor with the consent of the city council for due cause and for not attending three consecutive meetings. At least one member of the zoning board of review shall be a member of the minority party.

902.2. Prior members. Members of the board serving on the effective date of adoption of this ordinance shall be exempt from provisions of this article respecting terms of originally appointed members until the expiration of their current terms.