The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Elma, in the face of population
growth, urbanization and technologic change, with their accompanying
demands on natural resources, are found to be of increasing and vital
importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being of present
and future inhabitants and require forthright action by the governing
body of the Town of Elma. It is recognized that the biologic integrity
of the natural environment on which man is dependent for survival
and the natural and functional beauty of our surroundings which condition
the quality of our life experience cannot be protected without the
full cooperation and participation of all the people of the Town of
Elma, working in partnership with local and state officials and with
various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
Establishment of a Commission for Conservation of the Environment
is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Elma hereby creates a Commission
which shall be known as the "Elma Commission for Conservation of the
Environment," hereinafter called "the Commission."
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
8-6 of this chapter.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Town Board,
not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the
activities and work of the Commission and, from time to time, shall
submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill
the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation
for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
within the appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Elma to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and
man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants
thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public corporation.