The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Wallkill,
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 Town of Wallkill. 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 the people of the Town of Wallkill working in partnership with
local and state officials and with various public and private institutions,
agencies and organizations. Establishment of a commission for the
environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental
problems.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by L.L. No. 12-2004]
The Town Board of the Town of Wallkill hereby
creates a commission which shall be known as the "Town of Wallkill
Commission for Conservation of the Environment," hereinafter called
the "Commission."
[Amended 3-24-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
The Commission shall consist of seven members
who shall be appointed by the Town Board and who shall serve at the
pleasure of the Town Board. Persons residing within the Town of Wallkill
who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental
quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission. At
all times, at least one member of the Commission shall have substantial
work experience in agricultural activities. As used in this section,
the term "agricultural activities" includes, but is not limited to,
the growing of crops, the raising of livestock and production of livestock
products, the production of other farm-related products, the production
of timber and other woodland products, and the sale of any of the
above. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other
than by expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the
remainder of the unexpired term. The terms of the appointed members
of the Commission shall be staggered. The first four members appointed
shall hold office for terms of one year, the second three for terms
of two years. The successors of all seven initial appointees shall
be appointed for full terms of two years.
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 §
12-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall
be to:
A. Advise the Town Board and Town Planning 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,
biological 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 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 Wallkill and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes
of this chapter.
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 flood patterns (plains),
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 the land, so as to
provide a base of information for recommendations by the Commission
for their preservation and/or use.
E. 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.
F. 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 Wallkill 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 and ordinances.
G. Obtain and maintain in an orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support necessary researches of the
Commission into local environmental conditions.
H. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Town Board.
I. The Commission may participate at public hearings
held by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
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 chapter.
The members of the Commission 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 Town of Wallkill 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.