The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Dickinson, 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 Dickinson. 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 Conservation Advisory Council
is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Dickinson hereby creates a Council
which shall be known as the "Town of Dickinson Conservation Advisory
Council," hereinafter called the "Council."
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Council to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Council, its members shall elect from among themselves 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 as provided in §
19-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Council 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 quality, biologic integrity, beauty and other environmental
factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and
developments, advise on 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 designated to foster increased understanding of the
nature of environmental problems and issues and support for their
solutions.
C. Conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources within
the Town of Dickinson.
D. Maintain an up-to-date index of all open spaces, as defined in § 239-y
of the General Municipal Law, 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; and scenic and other open areas of natural or ecological
value. Such index shall include the ownership and present and proposed
uses of such open areas, so as to provide a base of 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 Dickinson in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F. Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies
and organizations whose programs and activities have an impact on
the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the
Council.
G. Work 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 Comprehensive Plan
of the Town of Dickinson and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board
appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances
relating to environmental and land use controls 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 Council into
local environmental conditions.
J. When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Dickinson,
accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both
real and personal, in the name of the Town of Dickinson, 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
Dickinson. 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.
K. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
by the Town Board.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and
actions and shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not later
than the 31st day of December of each year, concerning the activities
and work of the Council. From time to time the Council shall submit
such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the
purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Council, including ex officio members, 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 Dickinson 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.