The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Elbridge, in the face
of population and growth, urbanization, and technological 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 governing body of the Town of Elbridge. It is recognized
that the biological integrity of the natural environment on which
man is dependent 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 commission for conservation
of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action
on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Elbridge hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the Town of Elbridge Commission for Conservation
of the Environment, hereafter called the "Commission."
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairperson thereof. The Chairman will be appointed for a two-year term. At the first meeting of the Commission its members shall elect from among themselves a recording secretary. The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
22-6 of this chapter.
The powers and the duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation, development
and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of the
Town insofar as beauty, quality, biological integrity and other environmental
factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments,
with regard to any major threats posed to environmental quality, so
as to enhance the long range value of the environment to the people
of the Town.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the
Town Board, conduct a program of public information in the community
which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature
of environmental problems and issues and support for their resolutions.
C. Conduct studies, surveys, and inventories of the natural and man-made
features within the Town of Elbridge and such other studies and surveys
as may be necessary to carry out the general purpose of this chapter.
D. Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open spaces in public
or private ownership within the municipality, including but not limited
to natural landmarks, glacial and other geometric or physiographic
features; streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshlands, and other
wetlands; unique biotic communities; scenic and other open areas of
natural or ecological value; and of the ownership, present use, and
proposed use of such open areas, so as to provide a base of information
for recommendations by the Commission for their preservation and/or
use.
E. Seek to coordinate, assist, and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions, and individuals within the Town of Elbridge in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F. Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies
and organizations of local, state, and national scope whose programs
and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or
who can be of assistance to the Commission.
G. Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend from time
to time to the Town Board features, plans, and programs relating to
environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the
Town of Elbridge and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate
and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating
to environmental control or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
H. Prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, and pamphlets
in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I. Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books, and
other publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission
into local environmental conditions.
J. When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Elbridge,
the Commission may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest, or otherwise
property both real and personal in the name of the Town of Elbridge,
as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open
spaces and other land and water rights, or as any lesser interest,
development right, easement, including conservation easement, covenant,
or other contractual right including conveyance with limitations or
reversions.
K. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
by the Town Board.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Town Board
not later than the first day of April of each year concerning the
activities and work of the Commission and from time to time shall
submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill
the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Commission, including ex officio members,
shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof
but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred
in the performance of their duties within the appropriations made
available thereof.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Elbridge to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants
thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public corporation.