[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Manchester 7-13-1999
by L.L. No. 4-1999 (Ch. 2 of the 1989 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
The Town Board of the Town of Manchester recognizes that the agricultural
industry is the largest industry in the Town. The Town Board has a keen interest
in assuring the continued viability of farming in the Town and, therefore,
wishes to take action to create an entity to advise the Town Board and other
Town officials on issues relating to agriculture. Further, the Town Board
recognizes the need to seek advice from members of the Manchester community
on measures that the Board might take to assure preservation of farmland and,
generally, the continued success and growth of farming and related industries.
The Town Board of the Town of Manchester hereby creates a committee
which shall be known as the "Town of Manchester Agricultural Advisory Committee"
(hereinafter referred to as "Committee").
The Committee shall consist of nine members, all of whom shall be residents
of the Town of Manchester. The members shall be appointed by the Town Board
in accordance with the provisions herein. In making its appointment, the Town
Board shall consider geographical distribution, employment or profession and
special expertise upon issues relevant to the preservation and enhancement
of farming in the Town. The Town Board shall, as soon as reasonably practicable
following the effective date of this chapter, appoint five members to a term
commencing immediately upon appointment and terminating December 31, 2004,
and four members to a term commencing upon appointment and terminating on
December 31, 2005. Successors shall be appointed for five-year terms commencing
on the first day of January, except when appointed to fill a vacancy in an
unexpired term.
Following its appointment of nine members to the Committee, the Town
Board shall designate the date, time and place of the organizational meeting
of said Committee. The Town Board shall further designate the time, date and
place of an annual organizational meeting to take place during January of
each year. At said organizational meeting, the Committee shall elect from
its membership a Chairperson. The Chairperson shall serve until the next succeeding
organizational meeting as provided for herein.
The power and duties of the Committee shall be to:
A.
Advise the Town Planning Board on matters affecting the
preservation and development of agricultural resources in the Town, but not
limited to, land use measures to enhance the long-range prospects for farming
and agriculture-related industries in the Town.
B.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the land
currently utilized for agricultural purposes within the Town to identify areas
where farmland preservation measures might be necessary, and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this
chapter.
C.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private
groups, institutions and individuals within the Town in accordance with the
purposes of this chapter.
D.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private
agencies and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs
and activities have an impact upon the viability of agriculture in the community.
E.
Make recommendations to the Town Board concerning features,
plans and programs relating to agriculture for inclusion in the Master Plan
of the Town of Manchester and recommend to the Town Board appropriate local
legislation relating to the preservation and growth of agriculture in the
Town.
G.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board to the Committee.
A quorum for meeting of the Committee shall be five members. The Committee
shall be deemed a public body for the purposes of Article 7 of the Public
Officers Law.
The Committee shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not later
than the Town Board's organization meeting of each year, concerning the activities
and work of the Committee.
The members of the Committee shall receive compensation for their services
as determined and set by the Town Board.
A.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the Home Rule Powers
of the Town of Manchester, pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Law and other
applicable laws, to preserve and improve the agriculture industry in the Town
of Manchester. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public entity.
B.
Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with
the provisions of any other local law, rule or ordinance, the provisions of
this chapter shall prevail.
