[Amended 2-11-2019 by Ord. No. 19-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of 30-A M.R.S. § 3261, the Town Council is to appoint a Conservation Commission for the protection and use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the Town.
The Commission is to:
A. 
Keep an index of all open areas within the municipality, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the proper protection, development or use of those open areas. The Commission may recommend to the municipal officers or any municipal body or board, or any body politic or public agency of the state, a program for the better protection, development or use of those areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements;
B. 
Conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into the local land areas;
C. 
Keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the municipality; and
[Amended 2-11-2019 by Ord. No. 19-04]
D. 
Seek to coordinate the activities of conservation bodies organized for similar purposes.
The Commission may:
A. 
Make recommendations for use of land to the Planning Board and Parks Commission;
B. 
Prepare and print books, charts, maps and plans as it deems necessary;
C. 
Serve as an advisory body to the Public Works Department to review and advise, at least twice a year, at the call of the Town Manager, in conjunction with the management plan and maintenance of public parks and shade trees in public parks;
D. 
With the approval of the majority of the Town Council, receive gifts in the municipality's name for any of the Commission's purposes and administer the gift for those purposes, subject to the terms of the gift; acquire land or easements and trusts and accept gifts of land or money or easements for conservation purposes; and
E. 
Develop and implement a management plan for Rogers Park, with approval of the Town Council.
[Amended 12-14-2015 by Ord. No. 15-14; 2-11-2019 by Ord. No. 19-04]
A. 
The Town Council may appoint at least three, but not more than seven, Conservation Commissioners. Members are appointed for terms of three years each.
B. 
The Commission may recommend to the municipal officers that associate members be appointed to assist the Commission as the Commission requires. Associate members are nonvoting members, except when a quorum is absent. Their terms of office are to be for one, two or three years.