Position Description for Member of Housing Board of Review
The Housing Board of Review is created by BCO Sec. 18-35 with the following duties and authority:
- To hear requests for variances from the Minimum Housing Code (except those related to fire safety);
- To hear appeals from Minimum Housing Orders (except those related to fire safety);
- To reverse or affirm, in whole or in part, a Minimum Housing Order;
- To hear requests related to security deposit disputes;
- To hold hearings and take evidence; administer oaths; compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of material relevant to any issue under appeal;
- To issue written decisions;
- To order that all, part, or none of the deposit withheld by a landlord be returned to a tenant.
There is no requirement that the members of this board be residents or legal voters of Burlington. Members of this board will be expected to:
- Make a decision based on the fair & impartial application of the facts presented during the hearing;
- Conduct hearings in a fair and impartial manner;
- Reserve judgment until all evidence is presented;
- Apply the law to the facts of the case before it.
Members of this board will be appointed for a term of 3 years.
Historically, this board regularly meets on the first and third Mondays of the month beginning at 7:00 pm.
In addition, members of this board will be expected to:
- Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson or staff know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
- Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
- Notify the chairperson and/or the city staff person assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
- Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
- Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
- Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
- Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official.
