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Council holds public hearing on proposed municipal and housing court ordinance
Summary
Council opened a public hearing on a proposed Chapter 3 establishing a municipal court and housing court under Rhode Island General Law 45-2-68, outlining judge appointment, clerk authority, jurisdiction over housing and zoning violations, penalties, and the right to appeal housing court judgments to Superior Court.
The council opened a public hearing on proposed Chapter 3 of the town code, which would create a municipal court and a housing court under Rhode Island General Law 45-2-68. Julia presented the ordinance text, explaining provisions that address establishment, judge appointment and qualifications, clerk duties, subpoena and witness-compulsion authority, and possible penalties for failure to appear (a fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 10 days for some failures to respond).
Julia said the housing court portion grants townwide jurisdiction over housing-maintenance code enforcement, zoning violations, and other housing-related matters and provides authority to restrain, abate, or correct violations. She noted the housing court would follow similar rules of procedure to other state courts and that housing-court judgments could be appealed to the Superior Court within 20 days after entry of judgment.
The council opened and closed public comment with no speakers opposing or supporting on the record during this hearing and noted the ordinance will be placed on the next meeting agenda (Oct. 24) for further action. Council members asked clarifying questions about sessions scheduling and the annual appropriation requirement to maintain the court.
