The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Village of Westbury, 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 Village of Westbury. 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 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 Board of Trustees of the Village of Westbury hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "Westbury Village Commission for Conservation
of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The Mayor 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 §
28-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Advise the Board of Trustees on matters affecting the
preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features and
conditions of the village insofar as beauty, biologic integrity, quality 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 village.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Board of Trustees, 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 Village of Westbury 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 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,
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 Village of Westbury in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
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 Board of Trustees features, plans and programs relating
to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Village
of Westbury and, similarly, recommend to the Board of Trustees appropriate
and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental
control or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
H. Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and
pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
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 Board of Trustees
of the Village of Westbury, the Commission may accept by gift, grant, devise,
bequest or otherwise, property both real and personal in the name of the Village
of Westbury, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize
open spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of the
Village of Westbury. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and
water rights, or as any 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 Board of Trustees.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees
not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities
and/or 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 compensation for their services
as members thereof at the rate of $15 per meeting for each member attending,
or at such other rate so approved by the Board of Trustees pursuant to resolution
adopted at a regularly scheduled public meeting.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Village
of Westbury 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.