Section 1. Membership

The Committee shall be composed of seven Regular members appointed by the Select Board. Membership may include interested residents of Kennebunk as well as current members of other Kennebunk Boards, Committees, or Commissions (hereinafter referred to as Committees). Members shall serve staggered three-year terms, ending on June 30. The committee will also seek student volunteers. 

Section 2. Mission Statement

To facilitate the implementation of Kennebunk’s Climate Action Plan in a financially responsible yet expeditious way by bringing named partners together to collaborate to advance equitable climate solutions from the local to a global level.

In pursuit of this mission, Committee members may work with Town of Kennebunk staff, Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC), Town committees, as well as appropriate members of other towns, regional entities, private businesses, state departments (such as the Maine DEP or The Mitchell Center for Sustainability), or other knowledgeable resources. 

Section 3. Organization

The Committee shall elect officers annually at the first meeting held in August. Officers shall include the following positions:

Chair: The Chair shall preside at all regular meetings of the Committee and shall have the duties normally conferred by a parliamentary procedure including scheduling meetings and agendas.

Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall act for the Chair in his/her absence.

Secretary: The Secretary for the Committee shall provide for the keeping of the minutes of the Committee’s regular monthly meetings. Meeting minutes shall be sent to the attending members no less than 5 days before the next meeting for their review and acceptance on the next regular meeting agenda. Minutes shall be kept on file in the Town Clerk's office at the Town Hall. 

Section 4. Meetings

The Committee recommends that during the first half of the fiscal year the committee meets twice a month to evaluate the strategies and make budget recommendations to Town staff. After budget recommendations are made, the Committee recommends once a month meetings to be sufficient for check-ins. It will be up to the appointed members to decide how often it is best to meet. A majority of work done by committee members will occur outside of regular meetings. Outreach and communication with designated partners will play a key role for committee members.

Meetings shall be held at Town Hall at a day and time designated by a vote of the members. Special meetings of the Committee may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the membership. 

Section 5. Quorum

Four or more of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. 

Section 6. Attendance

Members of the Committee are required to comply with the attendance requirements of the Town of Kennebunk Charter.

Section 7. Committee Handbook

The Town of Kennebunk Committee Handbook contains a set of definitions, references to Town Policies and identifies roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteers. The intent is to help not only foster collaboration in furthering the goals of the various boards and committees but help all involved have clear expectations of how to function efficiently and transparently. View the Committee Handbook at www.kennebunkmaine.us/committeehandbook. 

Section 8. Adoptions of By-Laws

These by-laws are effective upon adoption by a majority vote of the Committee. Amendments to the by- laws may be adopted by a majority vote of the Committee, provided that notice of the proposed changes is circulated to the members seven days before the meeting when they will be voted on.