CITY OF MELROSE
AMENDMENT TO REVISES ORDINANCES
CHAPTER XIX

BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen of Melrose, as follows:

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Section 1. Policy of the City of Melrose

It is the policy of the City of Melrose to uphold the human rights of all persons in Melrose and the free exercise and enjoyment of any rights and privileges secured by the Constitutions and Laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This policy shall ensure equal opportunity to each person regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual preference, marital, family or military status, source of income, or disability where unlawful discrimination exists in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, city services, insurance, banking, credit, and health care.

Section 2. Establishment of Human Rights Commission, Membership, Term, Officers, Administration.

There is hereby established a municipal board to be known as the Human Rights Commission of the City of Melrose (hereinafter referred to as the Commission). The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen for a term of three (3) years. The members of the Commission shall be residents of the City; one shall be an attorney and the others, so far as practicable, shall be so selected as to provide culturally diverse representation from fields including, but not limited to, religion, education, behavioral sciences, industry, commerce, and labor.

For the initial appointments to the Commission, the Mayor shall appoint members as follows:

Three (3) members for a term of 3 years. Three (3) members for a term of 2 years. Three (3) members for a term of 1 year.

Thereafter, the Mayor shall appoint each successor to a term of three (3) years. No members of the Commission may serve for more than two consecutive terms. A member having served two (2) consecutive terms must remain off the Commission for at least one (1) year before becoming eligible for re-appointment. Appointments to unexpired terms shall not be counted as a term for the person appointed. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

The Commission shall meet each January to elect one of its members as chairperson and to decide on a calendar of bimonthly meetings for the year, said calendar to be posted at City Hall. Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of those present shall be sufficient for any action taken by the Commission, except where this ordinance provides otherwise. Any member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive bimonthly meetings shall be considered removed from the Commission.

The Director of Personnel shall act as secretary/clerk for the Commission, unless a conflict of interest arises.

The City Solicitor shall serve as Counsel of the Human Rights Commission, unless a conflict of interest requires outside legal assistance.

Section 3. Functions, Duties, Powers.

To uphold and secure the mandates, rights, and privileges of its policy, Melrose's Human Rights Commission shall be guided by these functions, duties, and powers:

(a) To enlist the cooperation of racial, religious, ethnic, civic, fraternal, benevolent, and private and public agencies in eliminating unlawful discrimination by cultivating an atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmonious intergroup relationships.

(b) To initiate investigations into the existence of unlawful discrimination or harassment. To offer a hearing to any person or group with a human rights grievance and to investigate any such grievance that has merit. To resolve matters of unlawful discrimination, whenever possible, through mediation. To file a written report of the Commission's findings and recommendations on each incident with the City Clerk. If, after 30 days, no resolution seems likely, the Commission is authorized to take action with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination or any court or governmental agency having remedial jurisdiction.

(c) To issue such publications and such results of investigations and research, as in the Commission's judgment, will tend to promote good will and to minimize or eliminate discrimination.

(d)To provide for community awareness of possible human rights violations.

(e)To promote understanding of diverse cultures through education and community action.

(f) To make recommendations to adopt, promulgate, amend, or rescind City of Melrose rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this ordinance.

(g) To keep the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and the School Committee informed of Commission action, by periodic report upon request, and by means of an annual written summary of its work.

(h) The funding for the Commission may be by appropriation of the Board of Aldermen upon recommendation of the Mayor or from any other appropriate source.

(i) The Commission shall file with the City Clerk notice stating its procedural policies and rules.

Section 5. Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be interpreted to contravene the General Laws of the Commonwealth.