There is hereby established a conservation commission, which
shall be known as the "Casco Open Space Commission" ("Commission"),
and whose purpose is to administer this article. The responsibilities,
authorities and limitations of the Commission are those described
in this article and as amended by the municipal legislative body.
It is meant to be separate from the Town's existing Conservation Committee
and to serve a related, but different, purpose.
The following shall be the discretionary powers of the Commission:
A. Procedures and policies. The Commission may adopt procedures and
policies for its operation, subject to the approval of the municipal
officers.
B. Planning and priorities. The Commission may adopt plans, criteria
and priorities for open space protection.
C. Amendments to Open Space Plan. The Commission may recommend to the
municipal officers any amendments to the Open Space Plan to be voted
on by the municipal legislative body.
D. Acquisition of lands. The Commission may enter into purchase option
agreements solely in the name of the Town of Casco with landowners
with the approval of the municipal officers.
E. Conservation easements. The Commission may negotiate agreements solely
in the name of the Town of Casco with landowners for conservation
easements on land in Casco with the approval of the municipal officers.
F. Conservation leases. The Commission may negotiate with landowners
for conservation leases solely in the name of the Town of Casco on
land in Casco with the approval of the municipal officers.
G. Recreational use of lands. The Commission may, in association with
the Parks and Recreation Department, develop and implement strategies
for the use and development of public parks, trails and access to
outdoor recreation opportunities on Town-owned lands.
H. Distribution of maps and literature. The Commission may prepare,
print and distribute maps, plans and literature as needed to promote
conservation and other initiatives of the Commission.
I. Use of outside services. The Commission may, within its budget, engage
the services of professionals, such as foresters, ecologists, biologists,
botanists, wildlife specialists and land use planners, needed to accomplish
its work.
J. Grants. The Commission may, with approval of the municipal officers,
apply for and administer grants in furtherance of its work.
K. Fund-raising. With the approval of the municipal officers, the Commission
may conduct fund-raising campaigns and administer said funds in furtherance
of its work.
L. Donations. With the approval of the municipal officers, the Commission
may accept donations to further the purposes of its work and administer
said gifts in accordance with the wishes of the donor.
M. Other activities not listed. The Commission may undertake other conservation-related
activities that further the purposes set forth in this article or
in the Open Space Plan, with approval of the municipal officers.