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.
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.