[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Cazenovia 5-13-1974 by L.L. No. 1-1974. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Cazenovia,
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 Cazenovia. 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 Cazenovia hereby
creates a commission which shall be known as the "Cazenovia Advisory
Conservation Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members all
of whom shall be residents of the Town of Cazenovia or own property
in the Town of Cazenovia. The Town Board shall consider geographical
distribution, age, employment and special expertise in maintaining
a balance on the Commission of individuals with diversified background
and concerns, willing to dedicate themselves to the preservation and
improvement of environmental quality of the Town of Cazenovia. The
Town Board shall initially appoint four members to a two-year term
and three members to a one-year term. Successors shall be appointed
for two-year terms except when appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired
term.
[Amended 8-8-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
B.
The Supervisor, or his designee from the Town Board,
the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Board of Appeals,
the Highway Superintendent and other officials that may be hereafter
designated by the Town Board shall be ex-officio members of the Commission.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman. 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, shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 9-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall
be to:
A.
Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation,
development, and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions
of the Town of Cazenovia 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 Cazenovia.
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 Cazenovia 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; and 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 Commission for their
preservation and/or use.
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist, and unify the efforts
of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Town of
Cazenovia 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.
Advise its Town Board and its Planning Board concerning
features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement
for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of Cazenovia and recommend
to the Town Board appropriate and desirable local legislation relating
to environmental control.
H.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Town Board of the Town of Cazenovia.
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, 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 Cazenovia 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.
