The analysis, preservation and creation of local businesses within the Town of Putnam Valley, in the face of the pressures of population growth, increasing regulatory requirements and cost, declining business opportunity and occupancy with the resultant loss of local businesses and commercial options as well as rising taxes to Town residents affect the health, welfare and economic well-being of present and future inhabitants and require forthright action by the governing body of the Town of Putnam Valley. It is recognized that the economic well-being of our community which conditions the quality of our life experience cannot be protected without the full cooperation and participation of all the people of the Town of Putnam Valley working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies, and organizations. Establishment of a committee to support and assist neighborhood businesses is a necessary step in fostering unified action on business and economic problems.
[Adopted 12-18-2024 by L.L. No. 9-2024]
The Town Board of the Town of Putnam Valley hereby creates a committee which shall be known as the "Putnam Valley Neighborhood Business Committee."
A.
The Committee shall consist of seven members. A Town Board member will be assigned by the Supervisor, with a majority vote of the Board, to serve as a liaison.
B.
Three of the members' terms shall conclude in even-numbered years, and four of the members' terms shall conclude in odd-numbered years.
C.
Members shall be appointed by the Town Board for the term of two years from and after the expiration of the terms of their predecessors in office.
D.
If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term; provided, however, that of the members first appointed, the Chairperson and half of the members, other than the Chairperson, shall be appointed for terms of two years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for the term of one year.
E.
Persons residing within the Town of Putnam Valley who have demonstrated an interest in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Committee.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Committee to act as Chairperson thereof. At the first meeting of the Committee, its members shall elect from among themselves a recording secretary. The Committee 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 § 8-50 of this article. The Committee shall meet at least once each month and shall have the power to hold public hearings.
A.
The powers and duties of the Committee shall be to:
(1)
Advise the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and all other Town boards and committees on matters affecting neighborhood businesses in the Town insofar as the creation, enhancement, attraction and retention, marketing and enrichments of Town businesses with regard to goals of economic vitality and vibrant quality of life for the people of the Town of Putnam Valley.
(2)
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 and awareness of the local businesses in Town.
(3)
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories within the Town of Putnam Valley and such other studies and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this article.
(4)
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all current businesses within the municipality, businesses which have opened in the Town, businesses which have closed and in inventory of vacant commercial buildings. This inventory is to be updated annually.
(5)
Seek to cooperate with, coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions, and individuals within the Town of Putnam Valley in accord with the purposes of this article.
(6)
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 business community or who can be of assistance to the Committee.
(7)
Working in cooperation with the Putnam Valley Planning Board, recommend from time to time to the Town Board features, plans and programs relating to business development and improvements and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws, ordinances and practices relating to business and commercial development or recommend new local laws, ordinances and practices.
(8)
Prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this article.
(9)
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books, and other publications to support the necessary research of the Committee into local business conditions.
(10)
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Town Board.
The Committee 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 Committee and, from time to time, shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this article.
The members of the Committee 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 therefor.
This article shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town of Putnam Valley to preserve and improve the economic vitality of the Town 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.