The Commission shall extol the role of East Hampton's natural
resources and agriculture as major contributors to the Town's
quality of life and the economy. The Commission will advocate for
agricultural issues before nonprofit agencies, civic organizations,
municipal boards and commissions, elected officials and residents.
The Commission will foster public awareness of the importance of agriculture
and how this enhances and preserves East Hampton's small town
character. In addition, the Commission shall:
A. Provide
information to local farmers and to municipal boards and commissions
about the benefits of a balance between agriculture and other land
uses; and review and make recommendations to improve the balance between
agriculture and residential property owners.
B. Provide
information and guidance on protecting farmland and agricultural viability--related
to taxes, PA490 classifications, zoning, wetlands, watercourses, public
infrastructure and others--to Town departments and other boards and
commissions and residents.
C. Review
existing and proposed East Hampton zoning regulations and other regulatory
provisions relating to agriculture and provide information, guidance
and recommendations to appropriate Town departments, boards, commissions
and residents.
D. Promote
the value of agriculture to the Town in areas of property taxes, environment,
employment and other quality-of-life and economic issues.
E. Increase
awareness of East Hampton's agricultural enterprises, including
recognizing and supporting existing and new farms and identifying
opportunities to preserve and expand agriculture.
F. Serve
as a conduit between local farmers and East Hampton government, nonprofit
agencies, civic organizations and non-farm residents and provide advisory
services.
G. Act
as a Town resource for agriculture and conservation information; educate
municipal officials about agricultural laws and safety issues.
H. Identify,
pursue and sponsor grant sources for farmers and municipalities.
I. Support
local, regional and state vocational agricultural programs concerning
agricultural matters.
J. Identify
innovative opportunities for agriculture.
K. Create
a climate that supports the economic viability of agriculture in East
Hampton.
The Agriculture Commission shall consist of seven voting members
appointed by the Town Council, at least three of which shall be from
the agriculture community. In addition, three East Hampton youths,
under the age of 19, shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members recommended
by the Commission and appointed by the Town Council. The East Hampton
Animal Control Officer shall also serve as an ex officio member. The
failure of a voting member to attend four consecutive meetings of
the Commission may constitute cause for the Town Council to remove
the member and fill the position thus vacated. A chair and vice chair
shall be elected by the Commission and serve for a term of one year.
The members of the Commission shall serve three-year terms;
provided, however, that with the first appointment by the Town Council,
four regular members shall be appointed for three-year terms with
the remaining members appointed for two-year terms. The ex officio
youth members shall serve one-year terms.