Sec.15-9-2. Qualifications, appointment and removal of hearing officers

(a) Hearing officers shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of each town, except that when two or more towns join in making such appointment, they shall appoint one hearing officer among the several towns involved.

(b) No person shall be appointed to the position of hearing officer unless such person is:

(1) At least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) In the opinion of the appointing official, a person capable of fairly administering the applicable provisions of law based on such person's background and experience, including, but not limited to, his education and special skills and training in small boat handling and mooring systems;

(3) A person possessing basic knowledge and experience concerning small boat nomenclature, ground tackle as it relates to moorings, anchoring etiquette and the display of appropriate signals while anchored.

(c) The names and addresses of the hearing officers shall be sent by the appointing official to the Commissioner of Transportation.

(d) Any hearing officer whose personal interests do or may give the appearance of conflict with his official responsibilities herein enumerated shall remove himself from presiding over any such hearing, and in such case the appointing official shall appoint a substitute hearing officer for that hearing.

(e) Any hearing officer may be removed for cause at any time by the appointing official when such official deems sufficient.

(f) Each hearing officer shall serve a two (2) year term, subject to re-appointment.

(Effective October 5, 1993)