[Code 1961, § 13.15.01; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975]
There is hereby established and created a Conservation Commission for the Town, pursuant to the authority granted in the General Statutes, Section 7-148, particularly as amended by Section 1 of Public Act No. 389, 1971. This Commission is established for the purpose of protection and improvement of the environment, including the development, conservation, and regulation of natural land and water resources within the territorial limits of the Town.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.02; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975; Ord. No. 00-2, § 1, 5-1-2000]
The Commission shall consist of nine electors of the Town to be appointed by the Town Council as regular members and three electors to serve as alternates. Each appointee shall require an affirmative vote of not less than four members of the Council.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.03; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975; Ord. No. 00-2, § 2, 5-1-2000]
(a) 
The members of the Conservation Commission shall serve for terms of five years except as provided in this section. The five existing members of the Conservation Commission created pursuant to the prior ordinance, who were appointed prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived for terms of five years continued to hold office during the terms for which they were elected. The initial terms of the four members who were not appointed prior to said effective date for terms of five years were as follows: one for one year; one for two years; one for three years; and one for four years.
(b) 
Terms of alternate. The terms of alternate members shall be five years.
(c) 
Seating of alternate. The alternate member, when seated as herein provided, shall have all the powers and duties set forth in the Charter for regular members of the Conservation Commission. If a regular member of the Commission is absent or is disqualified, the chairperson of the committee shall designate the alternate to so act.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.04; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975]
The Town Council shall fill all vacancies in the membership of the Commission in the same manner as provided for in Section 6-1 of the Town charter for the filling of vacancies and may remove any member in the manner provided in Section 6-3 of the Town charter.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.05; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975]
The members of the Conservation Commission shall choose a chairperson and secretary from its members. It shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Town Council.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.06; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975; Ord. No. 00-2, § 3, 5-1-2000]
The Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) 
To inventory or index all open areas in the Town, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps, and other wetlands for the purposes of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
(2) 
To conduct researches and studies concerning the utilization of land areas of the Town.
(3) 
To advertise, distribute, or otherwise disseminate material, including maps and charts, concerning the protection and improvement of the environment as the Commission deems necessary.
(4) 
To coordinate activities with other parties concerned with the protection and improvement of the environment as determined by the Commission to be necessary for its purposes.
(5) 
To exercise any and all duties of the air and water pollution abatement Commission as they may exist.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.07; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975]
The Commission shall have the following powers:
(1) 
To recommend to the Town Council, Town Manager, or the Town Planning and Zoning Commission plans, programs, and other activities for the development, conservation, and use of open areas within the Town.
(2) 
To recommend to the Town Council the acquisition of interests in land by purchase or gift in the name of the Town for the purposes of the Commission. The Commission shall help administer such gifts, subject to the terms of any such gift, as directed by the Town Council.
(3) 
To consult, exchange, and cooperate to the extent necessary with the state Commissioner of environmental protection, and request from said commissioner technical and other assistance in carrying out the purposes of the Commission.
(4) 
To expend any funds appropriated to the Commission by the Town Council.
(5) 
Such additional powers as may be granted to it by the Town charter and Town Council.
[Code 1961, § 13.15.09; Ord. No. 75-4, 9-8-1975]
Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to limit or otherwise restrain the existing authority of any other Boards or Commissions of the Town.