The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Village of Westhampton
Beach is found to be of increasing and vital importance to the health
and well-being of the present and future inhabitants of the Village,
particularly in the face of ever-increasing demands of population
growth and urbanization. The Board of Trustees recognizes that the
integrity of the natural environment cannot be protected without the
full cooperation of all of the people of the Village of Westhampton
Beach. Further, the Board finds that the establishment of a formal
conservation advisory council would implement cooperative effort toward
assuring the protection of our resources and the goals established
hereunder.
The Board of Trustees hereby creates a conservation
advisory council to be known as the "Conservation Advisory Council
of the Village of Westhampton Beach."
[Amended 8-9-1985 by L.L. No. 15-1985; 8-9-1993 by L.L. No. 7-1993; 1-12-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017]
The Council shall consist of seven members appointed
by the Trustees, each of whom shall serve for two years at the pleasure
of the Trustees.
A. Effective July 1, 1985, two members shall serve for
one year expiring June 30, 1986, two members shall serve for two years
expiring June 30, 1987, and the Chairperson shall serve a period of
two years expiring June 30, 1987. All appointments of members hereafter
shall be for terms so fixed that at least two will expire on May 31
of each year commencing on May 31, 1994.
B. Persons residing within the Village of Westhampton
Beach who are interested in the improvement and presentation of environmental
quality shall be eligible for appointment to the Council.
C. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring
other than by the expiration of a term of office shall be filled only
for the remainder of the unexpired term.
D. The Mayor shall designate a member of the Board of
Trustees, the Chairman of the Planning Board shall designate a member
of the Planning Board and the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals
shall designate a member of the Zoning Board, who shall be nonvoting
ex officio members of the Conservation Advisory Council.
The Trustees shall designate a member of the
Council to act as Chairman. At its first meeting, the members of the
Council shall elect a Recording Secretary and shall adopt rules and
procedures for its meeting. The Council shall keep accurate records
of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as
provided hereunder.
The Conservation Advisory Council shall:
A. Advise the Trustees, Planning Board and Zoning Board
of Appeals on matters affecting the preservation, development and
use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of the Village
of Westhampton Beach insofar as environmental factors are concerned.
B. Conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources
within the Village of Westhampton Beach.
C. Maintain an updated index of open spaces in public
and private ownership within the Village toward providing a base of
information for recommendation by the Council for preservation and
use.
D. Maintain liaison with public and private agencies
and organizations whose activities and programs have or may have an
impact on the quality of the environment.
E. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Trustees of the Village of Westhampton Beach.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its
meetings and actions and shall submit an annual report to the Trustees
not later than the 31st day of June of each year concerning the activities
and work of the Council.
The members of the Council, including ex officio
members, shall receive no compensation for their services but may
be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties within the limits of previously appropriated
and approved expenditures of moneys.