[Adopted 5-17-1963 (Ord.
No. 65); amended by the Legislative Council 4-5-2006]
A.
A Conservation
Commission for the development and conservation of natural resources,
including water resources, within the territorial limits of the Town
of Newtown is hereby established under the name of the "Newtown Conservation
Commission."
B.
Among the
natural resources with which the Commission shall be concerned are
so-called "open spaces" or "open areas," which shall be deemed to
include any space or area the preservation or restriction of the use
of which would:
(1)
Maintain
or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources;
(2)
Protect
natural streams or water supply;
(3)
Promote
conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes;
(4)
Enhance
the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests,
wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries, or other open
areas and open spaces;
(5)
Afford
or enhance public recreation opportunities;
(6)
Preserve
historic sites;
(7)
Implement
the plan of development adopted by the planning commission of any
municipality;
(8)
Promote
orderly development; or
(9)
Help
reduce the demands of residential development for Town services and
resulting expenditures.
A.
The Commission
shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the First
Selectman of the Town of Newtown with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen and who shall serve without compensation.
B.
The initial
members of said Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:
two members to serve until December 31, 1964, one member to serve
until December 31, 1965, one member to serve until December 31, 1966,
and one member to serve until December 31, 1967; thereafter, the successive
terms of members shall be for a period of four years.
C.
The Board
of Selectmen may remove any member for cause and shall fill all vacancies.
D.
The Commission
shall elect a Chairman from its membership; the Chairman shall appoint
a Secretary, who shall be a member of the Commission.
A.
The Commission
shall:
(1)
Conduct researches into the utilization and possible utilization
of land areas in the Town of Newtown;
(2)
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands in the Town of Newtown;
(3)
Keep written records of its meetings and activities, copies of which
shall be filed with the Newtown Town Clerk;
(4)
Render an annual report to the Annual Town Meeting of its activities
during the last completed fiscal year, a copy of which shall be filed
with the Newtown Town Clerk; and
(5)
Expend only such sums as may be appropriated to its use by the Town
of Newtown or as are received for its use for a specific purpose by
gift or bequest in accordance with the following procedure. Any funds
received by the Commission by gift or bequest shall be placed in the
custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and kept
by him in an account which shall be known as the "Newtown Conservation
Commission Fund," which account shall be separate and distinct from
all other Town accounts. Disbursements from the Newtown Conservation
Commission Fund shall be made on order of the Conservation Commission
only, in accordance with the terms of the specific gifts or bequests
which make up said fund.
B.
The Commission
may:
(1)
Coordinate the activities of any unofficial bodies which have been or may be organized for purposes similar to those set forth in § 20-24 hereinabove.
(2)
Advertise and prepare and distribute such books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets as may be necessary for its purposes.
(3)
Recommend to the First Selectman, the Legislative Council or Planning
and Zoning Commission such plans and programs (including the acquisition
of properties and conservation easements) for the development and
use of open areas within the Town of Newtown as it deems necessary
and desirable for its purposes.
(4)
Exchange information with the Commissioner of Agriculture.
(5)
At the request of the Planning and Zoning Commission, review comment
on parcels proposed for open space in subdivisions and resubdivisions
and evaluate and comment on proposals for payments in lieu of open
space.
C.
The Commission
shall have such further powers, authorities and responsibilities as
may, at any time, and from time to time, be provided by the General
Statutes of the State of Connecticut.
