17.__Investments.__Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, to invest any funds not needed for immediate use, including any funds held in reserve, in property or in securities in which fiduciaries in the State may legally invest funds;

18.__Appearances.__To appear on the authority's own behalf before boards, commissions, departments or agencies of a municipality or the State Government or the Federal Government;

19.__Executive director; other employees.__To employ an executive director, consulting engineers, architects, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts and such other employees and agents as may be necessary in the authority's judgment; and

20.__All acts granted or implied.__To do any act necessary or convenient to exercise the powers granted in this chapter or reasonably implied by this chapter.

§9206.__ConnectME Advisory Council

The ConnectME Advisory Council, referred to in this section as "the advisory council," is established to advise the authority in accordance with this section.

1.__Membership.__The advisory council is composed of the following members:

A.__Four members who have experience with issues concerning advanced communications technology infrastructure, appointed by the Governor;

B.__Two members who have experience with issues concerning the telecommunications and technology infrastructure implemented by the State's education community, appointed by the Governor;

C.__One member who serves on the Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund Advisory Board established by rules adopted by the commission, or a successor board, appointed by the Governor;