Hampshire Council of Governments Charter

2. Membership

1. Membership Procedures

    a. Upon an affirmative vote in accordance with procedures of the Hampshire County Charter adopted on November 8, 1988, and amended on November 3, 1992, accepting this comprehensive amendment, all municipalities which were member municipalities of Hampshire County shall be member municipalities of the Hampshire Council of Governments.

    b. Any other municipality may join the Hampshire Council of Governments upon satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

      i. An affirmative vote by a majority of the citizens, or an affirmative vote of the legislative body of the municipality, at the choice of the municipal executive body.

      ii. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the councilors of the Hampshire Council of Governments.

      iii. A commitment to belong for a minimum of three years.

    c. New membership shall be effective at the beginning of following fiscal year.

    d. Member municipalities will have representation on the Council in accordance with Article Article Three of this Charter.

    e. All members shall agree to be bound by the Hampshire Council of Governments Charter and administrative code, and all amendments thereto, as a condition of continued membership in the Hampshire Council of Governments.

2. Withdrawal Procedures

    a. After three years of membership, any member municipality may withdraw from the Hampshire Council of Governments by an affirmative majority vote of its legislative body declaring its intent to withdraw effective the beginning of the fiscal year no sooner than one calendar year after the vote.

    b. In all cases, the terms of withdrawal shall include provisions for payment of the member municipality’s allocable share of all fiscal obligations of the Hampshire Council of Governments. There shall be no payment or compensation for any allocable share of assets of the Hampshire Council of Governments to any member municipality which chooses to withdraw.

    c. Payment for items under paragraph (b) shall be made pursuant to a schedule approved by the Council.

    d. Procedures for withdrawal from membership in the Hampshire Council of Governments shall be pursuant to the administrative code of the council, which shall not supersede any provisions of this charter.

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