[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Tonawanda 6-28-1971
by L.L. No. 1-1971. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Tonawanda, in the face of population growth,
urbanization and technological 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 Tonawanda. It is recognized
that the biological 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 commission for
conservation of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action
on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Tonawanda hereby creates a Commission
which shall be known as the "Town of Tonawanda Commission for Conservation
of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed
by and serve at the pleasure of the Town Board. At least one member shall
at the time of his appointment be less than 22 years of age. Persons residing
within the Town of Tonawanda who are interested in the improvement and preservation
of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the
Commission. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment except that a vacancy occurring other than by
the expiration of a term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term. In addition to the above, a member of the Town Board
to be selected by the Town Board shall be an ex officio member of the Commission
but shall not have a vote on matters before the Commission.
The first four members appointed shall hold office for terms of one
year and the second three for terms of two years; and the successors of all
seven initial appointees shall be appointed for full terms of two years.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission its members shall elect from among themselves a recording secretary. The Commission 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 § 8-7 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A.
Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation,
development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of
the town insofar as beauty, quality, biological integrity and other environmental
factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments,
with regard to any major threats posed to environmental quality, so as to
enhance the long-range value of the environment to the people of the town.
B.
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Town Board, 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.
C.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of Tonawanda and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this
chapter.
D.
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open
spaces in public or private ownership within the municipality, including but
not limited to natural landmarks, glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic
features; streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshlands and other wetlands;
unique biotic communities; 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 a base information for recommendations by the Commission
for their preservation and/or use.
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private
groups, institutions and individuals within the Town of Tonawanda in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private
agencies and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs
and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can
be of assistance to the Commission.
G.
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 Tonawanda 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.
H.
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and
pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I.
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission
into local environmental conditions.
J.
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the
Town of Tonawanda, the Commission may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of
Tonawanda, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize
open spaces and other lands and water resources within the boundaries of the
Town of Tonawanda. 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 revisions.
[Added 12-11-1972 by L.L. No. 1-1972]
K.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not
later than the first day of June of each year, concerning the activities and
work of the Commission and from time to time shall submit such reports and
recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Commission, including ex officio members, shall receive
no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed
for reasonable and necessary expenses, subject to the approval of the Town
Board, 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
Tonawanda 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.
