[Code 1975, § 2-125]
A conservation commission for the City is hereby created.
[Code 1975, § 2-126; Ord. No. 99.69, 8-17-1999]
(a) The Conservation Commission shall consist of seven members referred
to in this division as "Commissioners." Such Commissioners shall be
nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.
[Amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No. 2011.70]
(b) The Commissioners shall serve for five-year terms.
(c) 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. Their terms of office shall
be for one, two or three years.
[Added 11-1-2011 by Ord. No. 2011.70]
[Code 1975, § 2-127]
Vacancies on the Conservation Commission shall be filled for
the remainder of the term in the same manner as original appointments
are made.
[Code 1975, § 2-128]
A quorum shall be necessary at all meetings of the Conservation
Commission.
[Code 1975, § 2-129; amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No.
2011.70]
Annually at its first meeting, the Conservation Commission shall
elect a Chair, a Vice Chair and a Secretary.
[Code 1975, § 2-130; amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No.
2011.70]
The Chair of the Conservation Commission shall call all Commission
meetings on three days' notice, unless waived, and shall preside at
such meetings.
[Code 1975, § 2-132; amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No.
2011.70]
The Vice Chair of the Conservation Commission shall be vested
with all the powers of the Chair in case of the Chair's absence or
incapacity to serve.
[Code 1975, § 2-131]
A majority vote of the Commissioners on the Conservation Commission
is required to decide upon any matter before the Commission.
[Code 1975, § 2-133]
The Secretary of the Conservation Commission shall record all
proceedings of the Commission and shall give notice of all Commission
meetings.
[Code 1975, § 2-134]
The Conservation Commission shall be administered by the Conservation Commissioners appointed and confirmed pursuant to Section
2-207.
[Code 1975, § 2-135]
The Conservation Commission may, from time to time, establish
such committees as it feels necessary. The members of such committees
shall not be Commissioners on the Conservation Commission.
[Code 1975, § 2-136]
The Conservation Commission shall conduct research in conjunction
with the Planning Board into the local land areas and shall seek to
coordinate the activities of Conservation bodies organized for similar
purposes.
[Code 1975, § 2-137]
The Conservation Commission may advertise, prepare, print and
distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment
it deems necessary.
[Code 1975, § 2-138; amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No.
2011.70]
The Conservation Commission, or committee thereof, shall keep
an index of all open areas, publically or privately owned, within
the municipality, including farm and forest land, open marshlands,
swamps, vernal pools, other wetlands and water bodies, wildlife habitats,
especially large unfragmented blocks, for the purpose of obtaining
information pertinent to proper utilization, protection, development
or use of such open areas, and may recommend to the City Council or
any body politic or public agency of the state a program for the better
utilization, protection, development or use of such areas, which should
include perpetual protection through conservation easements.
[Code 1975, § 2-139; amended 11-1-2011 by Ord. No.
2011.70]
The Conservation Commission shall work in an advisory capacity
to the City Council and the Planning Board.