[Adopted 7-10-1973]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-131a of the General
Statutes of the State of Connecticut, there is established a Conservation
Commission for the City of Norwalk.
A.
Said Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor
with the approval of the Common Council, five of whom shall be the
current members of the Commission, heretofore appointed by the Mayor.
B.
The terms of said five members shall expire on the expiration dates
set forth in their current appointments to the Commission. Two of
said members shall be appointed for initial terms as follows: one
for a term to expire January 1, 1976, and one for a term to expire
January 1, 1977. Thereafter, the terms for all members of the Commission
shall be for five years and the Mayor shall appoint, with the approval
of the Common Council, each year, successors to those members whose
terms expire on the succeeding January 1.
C.
Pursuant to Section 22a-42 of the General Statutes, there shall be
appointed, in the manner above provided, three alternate members to
the Conservation Commission, no more than two of whom shall be registered
members of any one political party. Such alternate member shall, when
seated as herein provided, have all the powers and duties set forth
in this article and pursuant to statute, for such Commission and its
members. Such alternate members shall be electors of the City of Norwalk.
If a regular member of said Conservation Commission is absent, he
or she may designate in writing an alternate member of such Commission
to act in his or her place. If he or she fails to make such designation
or he or she is disqualified, the Chairperson of the Commission shall
designate an alternate to so act, choosing alternates in rotation
so that they shall act as nearly equal in number of times as possible.
If any alternate is not available in accordance with such rotation,
such fact shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. One alternate
member shall be appointed for a term ending January 1, 1985, one alternate
member for a term ending January 1, 1986, and one alternate member
for a term ending January 1, 1987. Thereafter, upon the expiration
of the term of any such alternate member, his or her successor shall
be appointed for a term of five years.
[Amended 8-28-1984]
In making said appointments, the Mayor shall comply with the
Minority Representation Law of the State of Connecticut, Section 9-167a.
A.
The Conservation 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 are necessary for its purposes.
B.
It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned,
including open marsh lands, 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 Planning and Zoning Commission
plans and programs for the development and use of such areas.
C.
It may, with the approval of the Common Council, acquire lands and
easements in the name of the municipality and promulgate rules and
regulations, including but not limited to the establishment of reasonable
charges for the use of land and easements, for any of its purposes
as set out in this section.
D.
It shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make
an annual report to the municipality in the manner required of other
agencies of the city.
E.
The Commission may receive gifts in the name of the municipality
for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes,
subject to the terms of the gift.
The Commission may exchange information with the Commissioner
of Environmental Protection and said Commissioner may, on request,
assign technical personnel to the Commission for its assistance in
planning its overall program and for coordinating state and local
conservation activities.
The city may appropriate funds to such Commission in the same
manner as sums are appropriated and accounted for by other like agencies.
