[Adopted 5-8-1972 by L.L. No. 1-1972]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of DeWitt,
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 governing body of the Town of DeWitt. It is recognized
that the biologic integrity of the natural environment on which man
is dependent for survival and the natural and 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 DeWitt hereby
creates a Commission, which shall be known as the "DeWitt Advisory
Conservation Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members,
all of whom shall be residents of the Town of DeWitt. The Town Board
shall consider geographical distribution, age, employment and special
expertise in maintaining a balance on the Commission of individuals
with diversified backgrounds and concerns willing to dedicate themselves
to the preservation and improvement of the environmental quality of
the Town of DeWitt. The Town Board shall initially appoint four (4)
members to two-year terms and five (5) members to one-year terms.
Successors shall be appointed for two-year terms except when appointed
to fill a vacancy in any unexpired term.
[Amended 4-28-1975 by L.L. No. 1-1975]
B.
The Supervisor or his designee from the Town Board,
the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Board of Appeals,
the Highway Superintendent and other officials that may be hereafter
designated by the Town Board shall be ex officio members of the Commission.
A.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission
to act as Chairman. At the first meeting of the Commission, its members
shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary.
The powers and 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 of DeWitt insofar as beauty, quality, biologic 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 of DeWitt.
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 solutions.
C.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of DeWitt and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes
of this article.
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 geomorphic
or physiographic features, streams and their floodplains, swamps,
marshlands and other wetlands, unique biotic communities and 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 DeWitt
in accordance with the purposes of this article.
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.
Advise the Town Board and Planning Board concerning
features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement
for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of DeWitt and recommend
to the Town Board appropriate and desirable local legislation relating
to environmental control.
H.
Carry out such duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board of the Town of DeWitt.
The Commission shall submit an annual report
to the Town Board, no 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 article.
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 therefor.
This article shall be deemed an exercise of
the powers of the Town of DeWitt to preserve and improve the quality
of the natural and man-made 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.
