[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Smithtown 12-23-1980 as L.L. No. 2-1980. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Substance Abuse Prevention Council — See Ch. 71.
It is the intent of the Town of Smithtown to create a Youth Bureau pursuant to the Executive Law, Article 19-A, for the purpose of planning, coordinating and supplementing the activities of public, private and religious agencies devoted to the welfare, protection and development of persons under the age of 21. The Town of Smithtown recognizes that the youth of Smithtown deserve special attention and assistance in dealing with their needs. Further, it is the intent of the Town of Smithtown to create a Youth Board to advise the Town Supervisor on Youth Bureau policy.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The head of the Youth Bureau and the executive secretary to the Youth Board.
YOUTH
Any person under 21 years of age.
YOUTH BOARD
The Town of Smithtown Citizen Youth Board, to advise.
YOUTH BUREAU
The Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau.
YOUTH PROGRAM
Any program designated to accomplish the objectives of the Youth Bureau.
A. 
Objectives. The Youth Bureau's powers and duties are to administer, manage and provide for programs, projects and plans which promote and advance the moral, physical, mental and social well-being of the youth in the Town of Smithtown, which will stimulate and encourage community interest and participation in youth programs and which, alone or in cooperation with programs and alone or in cooperation with other persons, groups and municipalities, will foster and cultivate a wholesome environment for the involvement of youth in meaningful activities. The Youth Bureau shall be concerned with all youth, the untroubled as well as youth in trouble. In order to define and resolve existing problems of our youth and to prevent the development of new problem situations, the Bureau shall pursue the following objectives:
(1) 
To conduct an ongoing program of research to determine the needs of youth in the Town of Smithtown.
(2) 
To make an inventory of community resources capable of meeting the needs of youth.
(3) 
To plan for and encourage the development of new services considered essential for meeting the needs of youth or to endorse modifications of current services.
(4) 
To grant financial aid to public and private agencies in order to expand current services or to create new services for youth.
(5) 
To integrate and help coordinate the services of local, public and private agencies working with the Town's youth.
(6) 
To maintain a continuous research program on social problems affecting youth and new ways of meeting the needs created by these problems.
B. 
Organization. The Youth Bureau shall operate within and shall be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Supervisor and upon such conditions as to qualify for state aid under Article 19-A of the Executive Law of the State of New York and any amendments thereto. The Bureau shall be staffed by a full-time Executive Director and such other personnel as shall be deemed necessary for accomplishing the goals of the Youth Bureau. The Executive Director shall be responsible to the Supervisor for the purpose of planning, coordinating and supplementing the activities of public, private or religious agencies devoted in whole or in part to the welfare and protection of youth.
A. 
The Youth Bureau shall have a Youth Board to advise the Supervisor on matters of Youth Bureau policy. The Youth Board shall consist of persons representing the fields of education, law enforcement, mental hygiene, judiciary, welfare, business, recreation and youth organizations, who shall be appointed by the Supervisor, with the approval of the Town Board. The Youth Board, in fulfilling its obligations to the Youth Bureau and the Supervisor, shall advise and assist community groups devoted in whole or in part to youth and recommend legislation. The Executive Director shall also be the executive secretary of the Youth Board. The executive secretary shall have no vote in the official deliberations of the Youth Board, but shall administer to its needs and requirements in the fulfillment of its obligations to the Youth Bureau and the Supervisor.
B. 
Composition of the Youth Board.
(1) 
The Board shall consist of a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 28 adults and youth, who shall be appointed by the Supervisor of the Town of Smithtown, subject to confirmation by the Town Board. In addition, the Supervisor may appoint one or more ex officio members.
(2) 
One member of the Board shall be designated as Chairperson for a specified term, by the Supervisor, subject to confirmation by the Town Board.
(3) 
Officers, other than the Chairperson, shall be elected from and by the Board and confirmed by the Supervisor.
(4) 
Members of the Board shall not be considered Town employees for any purpose whatsoever.
C. 
Terms of office.
(1) 
Each member of the Board shall be appointed for a term of three years, except that of the members first appointed, five shall be appointed for one year, five for two years and the remaining members for three years.
(2) 
Ex officio members shall serve at the pleasure of the Supervisor.
D. 
Vacancies and removals.
(1) 
Any member of the Board appointed to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term of the member whom he or she is to succeed.
(2) 
The Supervisor and the Town Board may remove any member of the Board for cause.
(3) 
If a member of the Board is absent from three consecutive scheduled (not special) meetings and is not excused by the Chairperson of the Board, the Board shall declare his or her position vacant.
(4) 
Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled by appointment by the Supervisor, subject to confirmation by the Town Board.
E. 
Personnel. The Youth Board may recommend to the Supervisor and the Town Board the employment of personnel, subject to the rules of civil service, who shall be responsible to the Supervisor.
F. 
Compensation.
(1) 
The Chairperson and all other members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
(2) 
The Executive Director and such additional personnel as may be authorized by the Town Board shall receive compensation within appropriations established by the Town Board.
G. 
Meetings.
(1) 
The Youth Board shall meet monthly and at such additional times as the Chairperson of the Board or a majority thereof may determine.
(2) 
One-third of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the quorum must approve any action of the Board. Each voting member shall have one vote which must be cast in person. Ex officio members shall have no vote.
H. 
Powers and duties of the Board. The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) 
To advise the Supervisor concerning Youth Bureau policy.
(2) 
To establish local youth boards, with the approval of the Supervisor, to oversee youth programs in specific communities in the Town of Smithtown.
(3) 
To develop and effect policies and programs with the approval of the Supervisor, such as guidance, education, counseling, community involvement and recreation, for the Youth Board and any established local youth boards.
(4) 
To formulate and adopt rules and bylaws, with the approval of the Supervisor, governing the activities of the Board and its relationship to local youth boards.
(5) 
To supplement and aid in coordinating the activities of public, private and religious agencies devoted in whole or in part to the prevention of delinquency and youthful offenders and serve as a consultant to such agencies.
(6) 
To encourage closer cooperation between all public and private agencies and groups so as to stimulate employment for youth and encourage sound youth programs.
(7) 
To cooperate with all public and private agencies and groups in developing plans, programs and facilities designed to promote the welfare of youth.
(8) 
To receive and expend grants, with the approval of the Supervisor, from the state, federal or county governments or from private individuals, corporations or associations and establish a reasonable basis, with the approval of the Supervisor, for the allocation of these funds to youth programs so as to serve most effectively the objectives of this section.
(9) 
To approve or reject applications, with the approval of the Supervisor, for federal, state and/or county financial assistance to public and private agencies seeking to engage in the development and expansion of recreation and youth service projects, as defined by the laws of the State of New York and the regulations of the New York State Division of Youth.
(10) 
To devise, analyze, accept or reject plans for the creation or expansion of recreation and youth service projects or other youth programs, all with the approval of the Supervisor, and make appropriate recommendations to the Supervisor.
(11) 
To obtain, assemble and develop statistical records and data, including those that reflect the incidence and trends of delinquency and youthful crimes and offenses in the Town, with the help of the Youth Bureau.
(12) 
To make necessary studies and recommendations with respect to family affairs and problems, youth guidance, adult education, recreation, rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents and parole, institutional or other corrective treatment.
(13) 
To foster educational programs in connection with youth problems.
(14) 
To appoint such advisory groups and committees as may be necessary to carry out its powers and duties.
(15) 
To keep minutes of all meetings.
(16) 
To submit an annual report to the Supervisor.
(17) 
To submit a proposed annual budget to the Supervisor.
(18) 
To perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Town Board.