[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Schaghticoke 4-14-1975 by resolution. Section 7-3 amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning Commission — See Ch. 43.
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Schaghticoke, in the face of population growth, urbanization and technologic change with their accompanying demands on natural resources, are found to be of increasing and vital importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being of present and future inhabitants and require forthright action by the governing body of the Town of Schaghticoke. It is recognized that the biologic integrity of the natural environment on which man is dependent for survival and the natural and functional beauty of our surroundings which condition the quality of our life experience cannot be protected without the full cooperation and participation of all the people of the town working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of a council for conservation of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Schaghticoke hereby creates a council pursuant to Article 12-F of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, which shall be known as the "Schaghticoke Conservation Advisory Council," hereinafter called the "Council," whose members shall serve without compensation.
The Council shall consist of nine members appointed by the Town Board, one of whom shall be designated as Chairman by the Town Board and all of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board for a term not exceeding two years. Persons residing within the Town of Schaghticoke who are concerned with the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Council. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
At the first meeting of the Council, its members shall elect from among themselves a Vice Chairman and a Recording Secretary. The Council shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be to:
A. 
Conduct researches into the land area of the Town of Schaghticoke.
B. 
Seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and to cooperate with other official municipal bodies active in the area of community planning for the Town of Schaghticoke.
C. 
Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation, development, improvement and use of natural and man-made features and conditions of the town with regard to beauty and other environmental qualities, noting any threats to that environment raised by man's activities, so as to enhance the long-range value to the people of the Town of Schaghticoke.
D. 
Develop and conduct a program of public information in the community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental problems and issues and support for their solutions.
E. 
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made features within the Town of Schaghticoke and such other studies and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purpose of this chapter.
F. 
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open spaces in public or private ownership within the town, including but not limited to natural landmarks and streams, swamps, marshlands and other wetlands, scenic and other open areas of natural or ecological value; and of the ownership, present use and proposed use of such open areas, so as to provide base of information for recommendations by the Council for their preservation and/or use.
G. 
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Town of Schaghticoke in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
H. 
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies and organizations of local, state, national and international scope whose programs and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the Council.
I. 
Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend from time to time to the Town Board features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of Schaghticoke and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental control or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
J. 
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Schaghticoke, accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Schaghticoke as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of the Town of Schaghticoke. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights or as any lesser interest, development right, easement, including conservation easement, covenant or other contractual right, including conveyance with limitations or reversions.
The Council shall submit by November 1 of each year an annual report to the Town Board concerning the activities and work of the Council and shall submit such additional reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.