[1-8-74]
A conservation commission is hereby established and shall consist
of seven members, who shall be residents of the City.
[1-8-74]
The present members of the conservation commission shall serve
until the appointment and qualification of their successors. After
the effective date of this section the Mayor shall appoint one additional
member to serve until August 1, 1974; one additional member to serve
until August 1, 1975, and two additional members to serve until August
1, 1976. In July of each year the Mayor shall appoint such number
of members as may be necessary to fill the vacancies occurring in
August and such appointments shall be effective on August 1, and shall
be for three-year terms and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors.
The conservation commission shall annually in the month of August
meet and organize by choosing a Chairman and Clerk from among their
own number. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
The conservation commission shall promote and develop the natural
resources and shall protect the watershed resources of the City. It
shall conduct researches into local land areas and shall seek to coordinate
the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
It may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts,
plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its
work. It shall keep an index of all open areas within the City with
the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization
of such open areas, including land owned by the Commonwealth and the
City. It shall keep an index of all open marshlands, swamps and all
other wet lands in like manner. It may recommend to the City Council,
to the department of natural resources and to the state reclamation
Board a program for the better promotion, development or utilization
of all such areas, It shall keep accurate records of its meetings
and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed
in the annual City report if requested by the Mayor.