Hermon Town Council Handbook Notes

The goal of the training manual is designed to…

Provide a structured overview of your roles, legal responsibilities, and best practices as a Councilor in the Town of Hermon (Council Orientation, p. 2, paragraph 1).

Hermon operates under a Council-Manager form of government, established by…

The Town Charter in 1974 (Council Orientation, p. 2, Paragraph 2).

The elected Councilors serve as the town’s legislative and policy-making body, while the professional Town Manager…

Administers day to day operations (Council Orientation, p. 2, paragraph 2).

The exception to the town council’s legislative body is….

During the fiscal appropriations regarding the Annual Town Meeting, made up of voter register residents (Council Orientation, p. 2, paragraph 2).

Ethical governance is a cornerstone of public service in Hermon. The Town Council has formally stated that “it is the policy of the Town of Hermon to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics and conduct from all of its employees and officials.” This means…

You are expected to act with impartiality, respect, and transparency at all times, as you represent the citizens of Hermon (Council Orientation, p. 2, paragraph 3).

The Town Charter is the fundamental legal document (the ‘constitution’ of the town) that…

Establishes Hermon’s form of government, the powers and structure of the Town Council, and procedures for governance (Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, p. 2).

The Town Character specifies that the Hermon Town Council consists of seven members elected at-large to be staggered three-year terms. And…

Any qualified Hermon voter aged 21 or older is eligible to serve on the Council. The charter is adopted and amended by voters in Hermon, and provides the legal foundation for all council actions (Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, pgs. 2-3).

The Charter enumerates (mentions a number of) powers and duties of the Town Council. This includes…

The authority to appoint and remove key officials (like the Town Manager, Town Treasurer, Road Commissioner, Tax Collector, Town Attorney, and members of certain boards).

Enact, amend, or repeal local ordinances (local laws)

Create or eliminate town offices and departments by ordinance (as long as they are not established by the Charter itself).

To investigate the conduct of any town department or agency.

The Town is also tasked with providing annual independent audits of the town’s finances and recommending the annual budget to the Town Meeting for approval.

(Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, p. 3).

Town Council Procedure; Every proposed ordinance must be introduced in writing with an enacting clause (“The Town of Hermon hereby ordains…”) and cannot be adopted until…

it has a public hearing with at least seven days’ notice to the public (Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, p. 3).

Town Council Procedure: The Charter allows the Council to adopt emergency ordinances when needed for the immediate protection of public peace, health or property, but such ordinances require a….

Super-majority vote (at least “a majority plus one” of Council members) and expires after 60 days unless re-enacted (Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, p. 3).

Town Council Procedure: The Charter’s Prohibitions section forbids Councilors from…

Interfering with administrative appointments or giving orders to town employees (outside of the Town Manager). This is to reinforce the separation between policymaking and administration (Council Orientation, 2.1 Town Charter, p. 3).