[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus 2-14-1972
by L.L. No. 1-1972. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Esopus, 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 to require forthright
action by the governing body of the Town of Esopus. 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 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 Town Board of the Town of Esopus hereby creates a commission which
shall be known as the "Town of Esopus Environmental Board."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: A resolution to redesignate the Environmental
Commission as the "Town of Esopus Environmental Board" was adopted 12-14-1977.
A.
The Board shall consist of nine members, each of whom
shall be appointed by the Town Board for the terms of office hereinafter set
forth. The first four members appointed shall serve for a period of one year;
the remaining five members initially appointed to said Board shall serve for
a period of two years; upon the termination of the terms of office of those
persons initially appointed, each person thereafter appointed shall serve
for a period of two years. Persons residing within the Town of Esopus who
are interested in the improvement and preservation of the environmental quality
shall be eligible for appointment to the Board.
B.
I[1]t is the intention of the Town Board to encourage membership and
representation on this Board among the youth of our community. Therefore,
the Board at all times may contain among its members at least one individual
between the ages of 16 and 21 years. However, not more than two persons between
the ages of 16 and 21 years may be appointed to serve at the same time.
[Added 12-10-1986 by L.L. No. 9-1986]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, which provided that at least
one, but no more than two, members of the Environmental Board shall be between
the ages of 16 and 21, was repealed 12-10-1986 by L.L. No. 8-1986.
C.
Vacancies on the Board shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by
the expiration of the term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
D.
The Town Supervisor, the Chairman of the Planning Board,
the Chairman of the Town of Esopus Recreation Commission, the Attorney for
the Town and other officials that may be hereafter designated by the Town
Board shall be ex officio members of the Board.
[Amended 9-20-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007]
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Board to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Board, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Board 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 § 9-6 of this chapter.
A.
The powers and duties of the Board shall be to:
(1)
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
of Esopus.
(2)
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.
(3)
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of Esopus and such other studies and
surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
(4)
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 Board for
their preservation and/or use.
(5)
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private
groups, institutions and individuals within the Town of Esopus in accord with
the purposes of this chapter.
(6)
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 Board.
(7)
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 Esopus 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.
(8)
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and
pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
(9)
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Board
into local environmental conditions.
(10)
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board.
B.
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the
Town of Esopus, the Board may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise
such property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Esopus 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 Esopus.
Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights or as
any lesser interest, development right or easement, including conservation
easement, covenant or other contractual right, including conveyance with limitations
or reversions.
The Board 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 Board 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 Board, 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 Town of
Esopus 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.