Sec.22a-315-12. Election of the board of directors

(a) Number.

Each board of directors shall consist of at least eight (8) and no more than eleven (11) directors and no more than five (5) alternates, to be specified in each district's bylaws. Each director or alternate shall reside or own land within the boundaries of such district and shall be elected pursuant to this section.

(b) Initial Election of Directors and Alternates.

(1) Any person who, on the effective date of this section is a supervisor or alternate of an existing board of supervisors shall continue to serve as such supervisor or alternate until the election of directors and alternates for the five districts established in section 22a-315-11 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(2) Not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days after the effective date of these regulations, the executive director of the Council, in consultation with each chairman of the board of supervisors of the existing eight (8) districts, shall notice, call and conduct a special meeting in each of the five (5) districts to elect a board of directors and alternates for each district.

(3) At the request and direction of the chairman of the Council, each chairman of the board of supervisors for each of the eight (8) districts shall form committees to nominate candidates for directors and alternates to the five (5) districts. Eligible voters who attend the special meeting may make additional nominations. Each nomination shall include the candidate's qualifications, including his or her residency or land ownership within the district, and the initial term of office to which each candidate is nominated. A person eligible to be nominated need not be present to be nominated and elected.

(4) Directors and alternates elected at the special meeting shall serve staggered terms. Four (4) directors shall serve terms of two years and such portion of the third year until that year's annual meeting; three (3) directors shall serve terms of one year and such portion of the second year until that year's annual meeting; and any remaining director(s) shall serve terms until the next annual meeting. Alternates shall serve terms of one year. Each of these directors and alternates shall serve from the date of their election.

(5) Any vacancies arising before term expiration among the initially elected directors shall be filled by an alternate selected pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. Alternates selected to fill such vacancies shall serve the balance of the unexpired term.

(6) Not more than sixty (60) days after the special meeting and the initial election of directors and alternates, the chairman of the Council shall call a meeting of each newly elected board of directors to elect a chairman, vice-chairman, recording secretary and treasurer of each such board of directors by a majority vote of such directors.

(c) Elections and Special Meetings.

(1) Each director and alternate to each board of directors shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voters present at the annual meeting of each such board. A person eligible to be nominated need not be present to be nominated and elected.

(2) Special Meetings.

(A) In addition to the special meeting held to elect initial directors and alternates, special meetings may be held:

(i) By the board of directors to place an alternate into a vacant and unexpired term of any director;

(ii) To receive nominations from the board of directors and eligible voters to fill a vacant and unexpired term of any alternate; or

(iii) At the discretion of the district chairman, or upon written request of one-third (1/3) of the directors of such district.

(B) The district chairman shall notify all district directors and alternates of such special meetings by written notice. Such written notice shall be mailed seven (7) days prior to such meeting via the United States Postal Service, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Written notice of a special meeting shall be sent to the Office of the Secretary of the State not less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meeting. Such written notice shall specify the date, time, place, and the business to be transacted at such meeting. No business shall be considered at a special meeting other than that which is so specified in the written notice.

(d) Terms of Office for Directors and Alternates.

After the initial terms set forth in section 22a-315-12(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, directors shall serve for terms of three years each. Alternates shall serve for terms of two (2) years each.

(e) Eligibility.

1. A person, eighteen (18) years of age or older, residing or owning land within the geographic boundaries of a soil and water conservation district, shall be eligible to:

(A) Be nominated and elected as a director or alternate to the board of directors in that district; and

(B) vote in the election of such directors and alternates.

2. Only those persons present at the annual meeting of each district shall be eligible to vote for directors and alternates.

(f) Absences and Vacancies.

In the absence of any director, the chairman of the board of directors may appoint any duly elected alternate to fill that director's position during his or her absence. Any duly elected alternate may fill a vacancy in the board by a majority vote of the remaining directors on the board. An alternate elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term which he or she is filling.

(g) Terms of Office for the Chairman, Vice-chairman, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.

During the annual meeting or not later than 30 days following such meeting, each board of directors shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, recording secretary and treasurer by majority vote of the quorum of such directors.

(Adopted effective December 24, 2002)