The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Village of Colonie in the face of population growth,
urbanization and technological 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 Village of Colonie.
It is recognized that the biological 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 people
of the village 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 Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Colonie hereby creates
a commission which shall be known as the "Village of Colonie Commission for
Conservation of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The Commission shall consist of 15 members, of which seven shall be
appointed by the Village Board of Trustees and who shall serve at the pleasure
of the Village Board of Trustees, and the remainder shall be ex officio members,
as provided herein.
A. Persons residing within the Village of Colonie who are
interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall
be eligible for appointment as members 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 a term of
office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
B. The Village Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Planning
Commission, the Superintendent of Public Works, the Village Attorney and other
officials that may be hereafter designated by the Village Board of Trustees
shall be ex officio members of the Commission.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Village Board of
Trustees 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 chapter.
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 chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Village
of Colonie to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made
environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This
chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any
other public corporation.