[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Malta 7-3-1973 by L.L. No. 1-1973. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning appendix — See Ch. 167A.
[Amended 5-1-1995 by L.L.
No. 2-1995]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural man-made environment within the Town of Malta, 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 to require forthright
action by the governing body of the Town of Malta. 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 an Environmental Board*
is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
(*NOTE: The Environmental Board is to be the same as the Conservation
Advisory Council.)
The Town Board of the Town of Malta hereby creates
an advisory commission which shall be known as the "Environmental
Board of the Town of Malta," hereinafter called the "Board."
A.
The Board shall consist of not fewer than three members
nor more than nine members, who shall be appointed by the Town Board
and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board for a period
of one year, with such terms to expire on December 31 of such year.
B.
Persons residing within the Town of Malta who are
interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality
shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Board; however,
no more than two members of the Board may be between the ages of 16
and 21 years of age.
C.
Vacancies on the Board shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring
other than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only
for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Board to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Board, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Board shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 8-5 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Board shall be
to:
A.
Conduct research into the land area of the Town.
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.
C.
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary
for its work; however, such expenditures shall be within the Board
budgetary appropriation as approved by the Town Board.
D.
Keep an inventory and map, as defined in § 239-y
of the General Municipal Law, of all open areas within the Town with
the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization
of such open lands, including lands owned by the state, any other
municipality within the state or by the Town of Malta.
E.
Keep an inventory and map of all open marshlands,
swamps and all other wetlands in a like manner; and it may recommend
to the Town Board a program for ecologically suitable utilization
of all such areas.
F.
Keep accurate records of its meetings and actions
and to file an annual report with the Town Board of Malta on or before
the 31st day of December of each and every year. Once approved, the
Town Board shall forward a copy of this report to the State Commissioner
of Environmental Conservation.
G.
In addition to the foregoing, carry out any other
duties, tasks or responsibilities, consistent with the objectives
of this chapter, assigned to it by resolution of the Town Board of
Malta.
H.
Accept by gift, grant, bequest or otherwise money
or other personal property in the name of the Town; and the Board
may advise the Town Board as to acquisition of real and personal property.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 6, Reports,
which immediately followed this section, was repealed 5-1-1995 by
L.L. No. 2-1995.
[Amended 5-1-1995 by L.L.
No. 2-1995]
To assist the Board in carrying out its functions,
powers and duties, it may request the Department of Environmental
Conservation to:
A.
Prepare reports outlining objectives, priorities and
proposed relationships of the Board to the local legislative body.
B.
Prepare a description of work to be undertaken, advantageous
techniques to be used and suggested roles of Board members.
C.
Provide research on conservation facts and procedures.
D.
Provide, on a consulting basis, technical and research
assistance as may be required to assist the Board in carrying out
its work and to enable the Board to offer recommendations to the local
legislative body.
E.
Describe particular areas of natural resources within
the city, Town or village, as the case may be, which require particular
attention by the Board.
The members of the Board shall receive no compensation
for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
within the appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of
the powers of the Town of Malta to preserve and improve the quality
of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and
future inhabitants thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall
not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.
