[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown 8-14-1979
as Secs. 2-51 through 2-55 of the Code of Ordinances. Section 11-7 amended
at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other
amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Conservation Commission.
A.
The Conservation Commission shall consist of seven (7)
members appointed by the Town Council. Initial appointees shall be for the
following terms: three (3) shall be appointed for three-year terms, two (2)
shall be appointed for two-year terms and two (2) shall be appointed for terms
of one (1) year. Thereafter, as terms expire, appointments, other than interim
appointments, shall be made in January and shall be for terms of three (3)
years.
B.
Said Commissioners shall hold their respective offices
until their successors are qualified.
Members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
The Conservation Commission shall organize annually by electing a Chairman,
Vice Chairman and a secretary.
The Commission shall adopt bylaws for the performance of the duties
prescribed by law and this chapter.
A.
The Conservation Commission shall hold regular meetings
once a month which shall be open to the public. Special meetings shall be
held at the call of the Chairman or upon the request of three (3) of the members.
B.
Any person or his duly constituted representative shall
be entitled to appear and be heard on any matter before the Commission before
any decision is reached by said Commission.
C.
All records of its proceedings, resolutions and actions
shall be open to public view, and the Commission shall forward an annual report
of its actions and meetings to the Town Clerk's office.
The duties of the Conservation Commission shall be to promote and develop
the natural resources, to protect the watershed resources and to preserve
natural aesthetic areas within the town. The Commission shall conduct researches
into its local land areas and shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and
distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment,
it deems necessary for its work. It shall make and keep an index of all open
spaces with the town publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands,
swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information on the
proper use of such areas. At any time, it may recommend to the Town Council,
Zoning Board Department of Public Works or Planning Commission, a program
for the better promotion, development, utilization or preservation of open
areas, streams, shores, wooded areas, roadsides, swamps, marshlands and natural
aesthetic areas.
