The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Pine Plains, 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 Town Board of the Town of Pine Plains. It is recognized that the
biologic integrity of the natural environment on which humans depend
for survival and the natural 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 working in partnership with local and state officials and
with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
Establishment of a Conservation Advisory Council is a necessary step
in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Pine Plains hereby creates an
advisory council pursuant to the provisions of General Municipal Law
§ 239-x, which shall be known as the "Pine Plains Conservation
Advisory Council," hereinafter called the "Advisory Council."
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Advisory Council
to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Advisory Council
in each year its members shall elect from among themselves a recording
secretary. The Advisory Council shall adopt rules and procedures for
its meetings. The Town Board shall have the authority to remove any
member of said Advisory Council for cause, after a public hearing,
if requested.
The Advisory Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings
and actions and shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not
later than the 31st day of December of each year concerning the activities
and work of the Advisory Council. Once approved by the Town Board,
the annual report shall be forwarded to the State Commissioner of
Environmental Conservation as required by General Municipal Law § 239-x(1)(f).
From time to time the Advisory Council shall submit such reports and
recommendations as may be necessary or requested by the Town Board
to fulfill the purpose of this article.
The members of the Advisory Council shall receive no compensation
for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for actually
and necessarily incurred expenses in the performance of their duties,
subject to the Town Board's approval within the appropriations made
available therefor.
This article shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Pine Plains to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and human environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants
thereof. This article is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public corporation.