[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of West Seneca 9-20-1971
as Local Law No. 1-1971. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the
natural and man-made environment within the Town of West Seneca, in the face
of population growth, urbanization and technologic change with their accompanying
demand on natural resources, is found to be of increasing and vital importance
to the health, welfare and economic well-being of present and future inhabitants
and requires forthright action by the governing body of the Town of West Seneca.
B.
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 of West Seneca 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 a fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of West Seneca hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "Town of West Seneca Commission for the Conservation
of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members, of
which nine (9) shall be appointed by the Town Board and shall serve at the
pleasure of the Town Board, and the remainder shall be ex officio members
as provided herein. Persons residing in the Town of West Seneca who are interested
in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible
for appointment as a member of the Commission. Vacancies on the Commission
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that
a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office shall be
filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
[Amended 9-9-1974]
B.
The membership of the Commission shall be diversified
to take into account the many different opinions on the environment throughout
West Seneca, with at least one (1) member between the age of sixteen (16)
and twenty-one (21) but not more than two (2) members between the age of sixteen
(16) and twenty-one (21).
C.
The terms of members on the Commission shall be staggered
with the first three (3) members appointed to a term of one (1) year, the
next four (4) members appointed to a term of two (2) years, the eighth member
appointed for a term of one (1) year, and the ninth member appointed for a
term of two (2) years. Upon the expiration of each term, the successor appointee
shall be appointed for a full two-year term.
[Amended 9-9-1974]
D.
The Town Board, Chairman of the Planning Board, Planning
Director, Recreation Director, Chairman of the Recreation Commission, Town
Attorney and other officials that may be hereafter designated by the Town
Board shall be ex officio members of the Commission.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. 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 § 10-6 of this local law.
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 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.
B.
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Town Board, conduct a program of continuing public information in the
community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the
nature of environmental problems and issues and support their solutions.
C.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of West Seneca and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this
local law.
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, 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 use.
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of municipal
agencies or departments and those of private groups, institutions or individuals
within the Town of West Seneca in accord with the purposes of this local law.
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 West Seneca, 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 or ordinances.
H.
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and
pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this local law.
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 West Seneca, the Commission may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise, property both real and personal in the name of the Town of West
Seneca as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open
spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of the Town
of West Seneca. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and water
rights or as any other 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.
L.
Hold meetings as its demands require but not less than
once per calendar year.
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 local law.
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 local law shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town
of West Seneca to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made
environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This
local law is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of
any other public corporation.
This local law shall take effect upon adoption by the Town Board.
