The Solid Waste Advisory Board is hereby continued
and shall function in accordance with this chapter but shall hereafter
be known as the "Sustainability Advisory Board," which shall have
all the powers and be subject to all responsibilities given to, imposed
on or required by such Board by any local law, ordinance or resolution
of the Town Board of the Town of New Castle, presently in effect or
hereafter adopted, with respect to regulation of refuse collection,
recycling and other similar and related matters. The Sustainability
Advisory Board will also assume the following specific duties related
to the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions:
A. Review data and baseline information and assist the
Town Board of the Town of New Castle in establishing medium and long-range
targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and developing a program
to achieve those targets. Such review will include evaluation of policies
and recommendations relating to energy management, transportation,
waste management, construction, and land use;
B. Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast
to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in
the Town, including a review of energy audit reports for all existing
public buildings and facilities, and a review of existing and proposed
public transportation policies Town-wide;
C. Make recommended modifications to improve fuel efficiency,
reduce fuel consumption and promote alternative fueled vehicles in
fleet use;
D. Continue to monitor and promote the reduce, reuse
and recycle approach to waste management on a Town-wide basis, including
schools and businesses;
E. Establish, implement, and monitor an educational effort
to inform residents and promote the benefits of reducing energy use
and the reduce, reuse and recycle approach to waste management, and
to encourage the use of green products and renewable energy sources
by holding Town forums, maintaining a web page and providing regular
communication in the Town newsletter;
F. Work with the Conservation Board to establish, implement,
and monitor water conservation practices to protect and conserve our
water supplies;
G. Advise on local building codes and guidelines for
new construction and renovation projects to promote environmentally
sustainable practices;
H. Monitor and report the impact of land use initiatives
on achieving targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
I. Recommend new technology and research into alternatives
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cooperating with other municipal
jurisdictions and neighboring communities to amplify positive results.
[Amended 5-8-2018 by L.L.
No. 7-2018]
A. The
Sustainability Advisory Board shall consist of between five and 11
members, as determined by resolution of the Town Board. Members may
be residents or nonresidents of the Town of New Castle. They shall
serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the Town Board
of the Town of New Castle to serve for a term of two years or until
their successors are appointed. In addition to the members to be appointed
as described above, the Town Board may appoint up to four student
members to serve on the Sustainable Advisory Board for a one-year
term.
B. Vacancies
on such Board shall be filled by appointment by the Town Board in
the same manner as original appointments and, where occurring otherwise
than by expiration of term, shall be for the unexpired term of office.
C. The
Chair shall be appointed by the Town Board every two years, and shall
be the executive officer of the Board and shall preside at meetings
of the Board. The Chair may appoint committees, with the Sustainability
Advisory Board's approval, with such duties as may be lawfully
prescribed.