The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Greenfield, 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 Town of Greenfield. 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 an Environmental
Commission is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental
problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Greenfield hereby creates an advisory
commission which shall be known as the "Environmental Commission of the Town
of Greenfield," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Conduct research into the land area of the Town.
B. Seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies
organized for similar purposes and to cooperate with other official municipal
bodies active in the area of community planning for the Town.
C. Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for
its work; however, such expenditures shall be within the Commission's budgetary
appropriation as approved by the Town Board.
D. Keep an inventory and map, as defined in § 239-y
of the General Municipal Law, of all open areas within the Town, with the
plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization of such open
lands, including lands owned by the state or any other municipality within
the state or by the Town of Greenfield.
[Amended 12-28-1988 by L.L. No. 10-1988]
E. Keep an inventory and map of all open marshlands, swamps
and all other wetlands in a like manner, and it may recommend to the Town
Board a program for ecologically suitable utilization of all such areas.
F. Keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and
file an annual report with the Town Board of Greenfield on or before the 31st
day of December of each and every year, a copy of which, when approved, shall
be forwarded to the State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation.
H. In addition to the foregoing, carry out any other duties,
tasks or responsibilities, consistent with the objectives of this chapter,
assigned to it by resolution of the Town Board of Greenfield.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not
later than the 31st day of December 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
Greenfield 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.