DE HB362

Specifies grounds for excusing Council members from meetings (illness, death in family, birth of child, wedding, or other exceptional circumstances determined by the President) and provides that failure to attend three consecutive Town meetings without excuse results in a vacancy.

Eliminates the Town's power to levy "capitation" taxes on individual residents and removes the ability to offer early payment tax discounts.

Raises the borrowing ceiling from 1% to 1.5% of total assessable and taxable real property value and removes the $750,000 cap on total indebtedness.

Grants the Town Council power to conduct investigations into Town affairs, including authority to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require production of evidence.

Authorizes the Council to impose impact fees on new development and construction to cover proportionate costs of municipal improvements (sewer, water, roads, police, parks) and emergency services.

Allows the Council to delegate police hiring, directing, and removal authority to the acting Police Chief and makes appointment of a Town Assessor optional rather than mandatory.

Eliminates the Town Clerk/Town Tax Collector position and extends polling hours for Council elections from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.