[Added 5-12-2026 by Ord. No. 1336[1]]
There is hereby established a municipal board to be known as the Lake Management Commission.
A.
The Pittsfield Lake Management Commission's mission is to support the preservation and protection of lakes and ponds from environmental harm on behalf of present and future generations of Pittsfield residents, while understanding the interests of property owners and the public. Its goals are to enhance the water quality of Onota and Pontoosuc lakes, while maintaining the natural beauty of lake surroundings. It shall attend to matters such as lake water quality, management of invasive weed species, the drawdown of lake water each fall, zebra mussel control and Cyanobacteria monitoring and climate change as it strives to maintain consistently high-quality water levels that enhance the enjoyment of the lakes.
B.
The Lake Management Commission shall seek grant or city/state funding to finance periodic evaluations of water quality and the overall ecological health of Pittsfield lakes. Issues with potential to negatively impact the natural ecology and quality of life on the lakes will be reviewed by the Lake Management Commission. The Commission shall make recommendations to the Mayor as needed.
A.
The Lake Management Commission shall consist of seven members.
(1)
Five of the Commission shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of the City Council. Mayoral appointees will serve as follows: three members will be appointed to a term of three years, two members will be appointed to a term of two years.
(2)
The remaining two members shall consist of one current member of the Conservation Commission appointed by the Conservation Commission and one current member of the Parks Commission appointing by the Parks Commission. Each will serve as long as qualified or until replaced by the appointing authority.
(3)
The Harbormaster and Conservation Agent will attend all meetings and will offer guidance, communication and recommendations on lake management to the Commission. The agenda will be approved by the chairperson.
(4)
Removal; vacancies. A member may resign at any time during the course of their term, and the Mayor shall fill the vacancy of a mayoral appointment as soon as practicable, subject to the approval of the City Council. Any member appointed in order to fill such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the departing member's term. The Mayor may at the request of the Lake Management Commission remove any of the five members appointed by the Mayor in which event the Mayor shall fill said vacancy as soon as practicable, subject to City Council approval. Any member appointed in order to fill such a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the departing member's term.
(5)
Discharge of Commission. The Mayor may, with the approval of the City Council, discharge the Lake Management Commission. Vacancies in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
All present and future members of the Lake Management Commission shall be classified as "special municipal employes" as that term is defined by MGL c. 268A, § 1(n), as amended. Such classification shall apply to Commission members only in the performance of their powers and duties as outlined in Chapter 2, Article LV, of the Code of the City of Pittsfield.
In accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(a), of the City Charter, the members of the Lake Management Commission shall serve without compensation and the Lake Management Commission shall choose its Chair, Vice Chair and its Secretary from among its members by a majority vote of its members. The officers shall serve for a term of one calendar year, beginning on January 1. The Lake Management Commission shall keep an accurate record of all meetings held and the business transacted by the Commission.
The Lake Management Commission shall meet as often as its business may warrant or require. Regular or special meetings may be called by the Chair or any four members of the Commission In accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(b), of the City Charter, the Commission shall make rules governing its meetings.
The Commission may establish subcommittees as it deems necessary. Membership of the subcommittees will be determined by the Commission and, other than the chair of the established subcommittee, may, but are not required to Commission members. A member of the Commission will chair each established subcommittee. Members of established subcommittees are non-voting members that make recommendations to the Commission.
A.
The Commission shall develop and establish five-year lake management and financial budget plan for all water bodies in the City of Pittsfield. Lake program budget requests are to be submitted to the Community Development Department annually, by February 1. The Parks and Conservation commissions will meet with the Lake Commission bi-annually to review environmental and recreation issues. The Commission may also develop recommendations for management plans for smaller water ponds as the Commission deems proper.
B.
The Lake Management Commission shall seek grant or city/state funding to finance periodic evaluations of water quality and the overall ecological health of Pittsfield lakes.