§174. Board of directors

All of the affairs of an airport authority must be managed by a board of directors whose members must be residents of the charter territory. The number of directors must be specified in the charter. After selection of the first board, each director is nominated and elected or appointed as provided in the charter and in accordance with subsection 1 or 2, as applicable. If the charter does not indicate whether the directors are appointed or elected, the directors, after selection of the first board, must be elected in accordance with subsection 1.   [PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Nominations and elections; vacancies.  This subsection applies to an airport authority if its charter provides that its directors are elected or if the charter does not indicate whether the directors are elected or appointed.

A. Nominations and elections of directors are conducted in accordance with the laws relating to municipal elections.   [PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

B. When the term of office of a director expires, the director's successor is elected at large by a plurality vote of the voters of the charter territory. For the purpose of election, a special election must be called and held on the date established by the directors. The election must be called by the directors in the same manner as town meetings are called and, for this purpose, the directors are vested with the powers of municipal officers of towns. A vacancy is filled in the same manner for the unexpired term by a special election called by the directors.   [PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

C. The directors shall appoint a registrar of voters for the airport authority, who may also be the registrar of voters for any town within the airport authority, and fix the registrar's salary. It is the registrar's duty to make and keep a complete list of all the registered voters resident in the charter territory. The list prepared by the registrar governs the eligibility of any voter. Voters who are resident outside the charter territory are not eligible voters, and the registrar of voters shall exclude those voters from the registrar's lists. All warrants issued for elections by the directors must show that only the voters resident within the charter territory are entitled to vote.   [PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

2.  Appointment.  This subsection applies to an airport authority if its charter provides that its directors are appointed.

A. After selection of the first board, each director is appointed as provided in the charter.   [PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

3.  Eligibility requirements.  When a director ceases to be a resident of the charter territory, the director shall vacate the office of director and the vacancy is filled as provided in subsection 1 or 2, as applicable. All directors are eligible for reelection or reappointment, but a person who is a municipal officer, as defined in Title 30-A, section 2001, subsection 10, of any town located, in whole or in part, within the charter territory is not eligible for appointment, nomination or election as a director of that airport authority.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

4.  First board.  The first board is appointed or elected as provided in the charter. At the first meeting, the initial board of directors shall determine by agreement or, failing to agree, determine by lot the term of office of each director. The terms of the directors must be determined in accordance with the following table.

The directors shall enter on their records the determination made. Vacancies are filled pursuant to subsection 1 or 2.

At the original meeting, the directors shall organize by electing from among their members a chair and a clerk, by adopting a corporate seal and by electing a treasurer who may or may not be a director.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

5.  Organization; conduct of business; employees.  Within one week after each annual election or appointment, the directors shall meet for the purpose of electing a chair, treasurer and clerk to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are appointed and qualified. The directors from time to time may choose and employ and fix the compensation of any other necessary officers and agents, who serve at the pleasure of the directors. The treasurer shall furnish bond in the sum and with sureties approved by the directors. The airport authority shall pay the cost of the bond.

The directors may adopt and establish bylaws consistent with the laws of this State and necessary for the convenience and the proper management of the affairs of the airport authority and perform other acts within the powers delegated by law to the directors.

The directors must be sworn to the faithful performances of their duties, including the duties of a member who serves as clerk or clerk pro tem. The directors shall publish an annual report that includes a report of the treasurer.

The directors shall appoint and fix the salary of an airport manager who may not be a director. The airport manager has such power and authority as the directors in their bylaws or by resolution specify and delegate to the airport manager. Subject to approval of or authorization from the directors, the airport manager may appoint any other employees necessary to carry out the corporate purposes of the airport authority and may fix their salaries.

Business of the airport authority must be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Freedom of Access Act.

[PL 2011, c. 662, §9 (AMD).]

6.  Decisions of the board; conflict of interest.  All decisions of the board of directors must be made by a majority of those present and voting, except that a vote to approve the issuing of any bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness payable within a period of more than 12 months after the date of issuance must be approved by a majority of the entire appointed board. A quorum of the board of directors consists of the total number of authorized directors divided by 2 and, if necessary to obtain a whole number, the resulting number rounded up to the next whole number. Directors are subject to the conflict of interest provisions of Title 30-A, section 2605.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

7.  Compensation.  The directors of an airport authority receive compensation as recommended by the directors and approved by a majority vote of the municipal officers of municipalities located in whole or in part within the charter territory. Certification of the vote must be recorded with the Secretary of State and recorded in the bylaws.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

8.  Retirement.  Directors are not eligible to become members of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System as a result of their selection as directors.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

9.  Expenses.  The directors may obtain an office and incur necessary expenses.

[PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2007, c. 563, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 662, §9 (AMD).