§ 12.

254 words·~1 min read·/vt/12-15

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

§ 12. Adoption of ordinances by initiative

(a)An ordinance may be enacted by vote of the Town according to the following procedure:

(1)A petition requesting enactment of the ordinance signed by not less than 10 percent of the Town’s registered voters shall be filed, along with the text of the proposed ordinance, with the Town Clerk.

(2)The proposed ordinance shall be examined by the Town attorney before being submitted to the special Town meeting. The Town attorney is authorized, subject to the approval of the Selectboard, to amend the petitioned ordinance to:

(A)correct repetitive, unlawful, or unconstitutional provisions; and

(B)ensure accuracy, clarity, and precision in its text, legal references, and phrasing, provided that these technical corrections shall not change the meaning or effect of the proposed ordinance.

(3)The Selectboard shall call a special Town meeting to be held within 60 days after the date the petition is filed, unless the Selectboard enacts the ordinance within the 60-day period.

(4)The warning for the special Town meeting shall include the text of the proposed ordinance verbatim and shall provide for a “yes” or “no’’ vote as to its enactment.

(5)The ordinance shall be adopted if at least 15 percent of the Town’s registered voters vote on the question to adopt the ordinance and a majority of that number vote for adoption.

(b)Any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect on the 60th day following adoption. (Added 2023, No. M-14, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023.)