§ 2-183. Board of fire commissioners.
(a)
Fire commissioners. The board of fire commissioners consists of five citizens appointed by the town board for five-year terms. Terms shall terminate on April 30 in successive years so that not more than one commissioner's term will terminate in any given year.
(b)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Board means the board of fire commissioners of the town.
Chief refers to the fire chief of the town.
Member refers to all positions within the fire department of the town, including the chief, who are under the jurisdiction of the board.
Subordinate refers to members of the fire department, other than the chief, who are under the jurisdiction of the board.
(c)
Board procedures.
(1)
In May of each year, the board shall elect, from its members, a president, vice-president, and secretary.
(2)
Board officers shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
a.
President. The president shall:
1.
Preside over all meetings and hearings and ensure their orderly conduct;
2.
Accept filing of written charges against the chief and subordinates;
3.
Issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses at hearings pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 62.13(5)(d);
4.
Administer oaths to witnesses appearing before the board;
5.
Formally read the charge to the accused at any hearing, including the provisions alleged to have been violated;
6.
Ask questions, and control questions asked by other board members, during any hearing;
7.
Ensure standards for procedural due process are afforded to the accused at any hearings; and
8.
Adjourn board proceedings.
b.
Vice-president. The vice-president shall act in the capacity of president whenever the president is unavailable to act for any reason.
c.
Secretary. The secretary shall:
1.
Conduct all correspondence of the board, send all notices required by law, ordinance, or these rules, or as otherwise requested by the board;
2.
Cause to be published such official notices as are required;
3.
Attend, and keep a record of, all board proceedings, including the preservation of testimony and any evidence received by the board at any hearings in a permanent record, and to certify such record to the circuit court when required by law;
4.
Maintain the minutes of each meeting and hearing, with said minutes being signed by the secretary and president upon approval by the board;
5.
Provide copies of all board minutes to each board member as soon as possible, and file a copy of said minutes with the town clerk-treasurer;
6.
Accept filing of all appointments under Wis. Stats. § 62.13(1); and
7.
Accept, for filing, all findings and determinations of the board relative to disciplinary actions and board orders, all of which shall be filed within three days of their adoption pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 62.13(5)(f).
(3)
Except as otherwise provided by statute or ordinance, the board rules and regulations shall be prescribed, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the board members present. Any such board rule or regulation adopted by the board shall govern the activities of the board until such rules or regulations have been amended or repealed as provided herein.
(Prior Code, § 2-5-6)
State law reference
Board of fire commissioners, Wis. Stats. §§ 60.57, 62.13(1).