[Added 5-3-1976 by L.L. No. 1-1976;[1] amended 5-2-1994 by L.L. No. 5-1994; 7-11-1994 by L.L. No. 6-1994]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded a resolution adopted 12-16-1974 which established a Town Recreation Commission pursuant to § 243 of the General Municipal Law, which resolution superseded former Article VII, Recreation Advisory Board, originally adopted 8-6-1973 by Ord. No. 12-1973.
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Kent, 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 Kent. 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 of Kent working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of a Conservation Advisory Committee is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Kent hereby creates a Committee which shall be known as the "Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee," hereinafter called the "Committee."
The Committee shall consist of seven members of which seven shall be appointed by the Town Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board of Kent. Persons residing within the Town of Kent who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Committee. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Town Board of the Town of Kent shall designate a member of the Committee to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Committee, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Committee 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 § 4-18.
The powers and duties of the Committee 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 Kent insofar as quality, biologic integrity, beauty and other environmental factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments, advise on 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 Kent.
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 and maintain an inventory of the natural resources within the Town of Kent.
D. 
Maintain an up-to-date index of all open spaces, as defined in § 239-y of the General Municipal Law, 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. Such index shall include the ownership and present and proposed uses of such open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by the Committee 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 Kent in accord with the purposes of this article.
F. 
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies and organizations whose programs and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the Committee.
G. 
Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend from time to time to the Town Board features, plans and program relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of Kent and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental and land use 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 article.
I. 
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Committee into local environmental conditions.
J. 
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Kent, the Committee may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property both real and personal in the name of the Town of Kent, 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 Kent. 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 Town Board.
The Committee shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall submit to the Town Board, not later than the 31st day of December of each year, an annual report concerning the activities and work of the Committee. From time to time the Committee shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purpose of this article.
The members of the Committee 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. (Note: The Town Board may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by a Committee, including but not limited to expenses for professional staff consultants, clerical assistance and printing and distribution of publications. The Committee should prepare and submit an annual budget request in the manner prescribed by the Town Board. The Town Board, upon request by the Committee, also may from time to time and for designated purposes assign or detail public employees to perform work for the Committee.)
This article shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town Board of the Town of Kent to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This article is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.