The membership of any person who is absent from three regular
meetings during any six-month period shall terminate as of the time
the third such absence occurs, unless such absences are waived by
the Chairman of the Commission because of illness or other extenuating
circumstances. The Chairman of the Commission shall notify the Town
Manager promptly after the third absence occurs.
The Commission shall fix the time and place of its regular meetings
and provide a method for calling special meetings. The Commission
shall determine its own rules of procedure. The presence of four members
shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may adopt regulations, rules
and procedures to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The Commission
shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an
annual report to the Town Council through the Town Manager. The Commission
may submit a budget request to the Town Council through the Town Manager
in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Town Charter.
A. Inland
Wetlands Commission.
(1) The Commission shall be vested with all powers authorized by the
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act of the State of Connecticut,
as amended, and, in particular, shall promulgate such regulations
in conformity with the regulations promulgated by the Commissioner
of Energy and Environmental Protection of the State of Connecticut
as are necessary to protect the inland wetlands and watercourses within
the territorial limits of the Town of Farmington. The Commission shall
provide, through regulations, the manner in which the boundaries of
inland wetland areas and watercourses in the Town of Farmington shall
be established, amended or changed and shall follow the procedures
set forth in the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act of the State
of Connecticut.
(2) The Commission shall be solely responsible for the permitting of
all regulated activities conducted upon or upland of an inland wetland
or watercourse, as those terms are defined in the Inland Wetlands
and Watercourses Act of the State of Connecticut and in the Farmington
Regulations for Inland Wetlands, within the Town of Farmington. In
carrying out its permitting activities, the Commission shall follow
the standards and procedures set forth in the Inland Wetlands and
Watercourses Act of the State of Connecticut and in the Farmington
Regulations for Inland Wetlands.
B. Conservation
Commission.
(1) The Commission shall be vested with all powers authorized by C.G.S.
§ 7-131a of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
(2) The Commission shall conduct researches into the utilization and
possible utilization of land areas of the municipality and may coordinate
the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes
and may advertise, prepare and distribute books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets as necessary for its purpose.
(3) The Commission shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or
privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands,
for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such
areas, and may from time to time recommend to the Town Plan and Zoning
Commission of the Town of Farmington plans and programs for the development
and use of such areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation
easements.
(4) The Commission may recommend acquisition of land to the Town Council
for any of its purposes as set out in this section or as authorized
in C.G.S. § 7-131a of the Connecticut General Statutes,
as amended.
(5) The Commission, upon approval of the Town Council and the Town Meeting,
may receive gifts of land in the name of the Town of Farmington for
purposes not inconsistent with this chapter.
(6) The Commission may receive gifts of money in the name of the Town
of Farmington for any purpose not inconsistent with the purpose of
this Chapter. Such gifts of money, if not designated for the special
purpose by the donor, shall become part of the general fund of the
Town of Farmington. Special gifts of money shall be deposited in a
special fund of the Town of Farmington created for this purpose by
the Town Treasurer and may be used by the Commission for such special
purposes upon approval by the Town Council. The Town Treasurer shall
keep an accurate record of all funds received.
(7) The Commission shall give particular consideration to the following
matters and shall inform the Town Council and other appropriate agencies
with respect to the same:
(a) Uses and avoidance of pollution of the Farmington River.
(b) Land that should be kept as open space or for recreation purpose.
(c) Methods of keeping open space without purchase by public agencies,
such as the acquisition of easements or agreements with property owners.
(d) Recommended land practices and land development of present Town-owned
properties.
(e) Coordinating information from and among each of the Town agencies
involved with any aspect of conservation of natural resources.
(f) Making maximum use of federal and state agencies, such as the Soil
Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture
and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
(g) Coordination of activities of various organizations and groups in
the Town of Farmington having an interest in conservation, such as
garden clubs and other civic associations.
(h) Cooperation with Conservation Commissions of neighboring towns.
(i) Coordination of efforts with Farmington River Watershed Associations.
(j) Stimulation and promotion of conservation within the Town of Farmington.
The facilities and services of the Town Planner, his/her staff
and office shall be available to the Commission. The Commission shall
otherwise operate within the amount of the appropriation provided
in the Town budget each year.