[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Old
Field 11-17-1970 as L.L. No. 1-1970. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Village of Old Field, 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 Village of Old Field. 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 village, 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 Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Old Field hereby creates
a commission which shall be known as the "Old Field Village Commission for
Conservation of the Environment," hereafter called the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of nine members, of which
five shall be appointed by the Village Board of Trustees and shall serve at
the pleasure of the Board of Trustees and the remainder shall be ex officio
members as provided herein. Persons residing within the Village of Old Field
who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality
shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission.
B.
Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other
than by the expiration of terms of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
C.
The Mayor, the Chairman of the Planning Board and other
officials that may be hereafter designated by the Village Board of Trustees
shall be ex officio members of the Commission.
The Commission 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 § 23-8 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A.
Advise the Village Board of Trustees on matters affecting
the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features
and conditions of the village 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 village.
B.
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Village Board of Trustees, 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 Village of Old Field 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; 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 Village of Old Field in accord
with the purpose of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private
agencies and organizations of local, state and natural scope whose programs
and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can
be of assistance to the Commission.
G.
Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend,
from time to time, to the Village Board of Trustees features, plans and programs
relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the master plan of
the Village of Old Field and similarly, recommend to the Village Board of
Trustees appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances
relating to environmental 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 chapter.
I.
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission
into local environmental conditions.
J.
When authorized by resolution of the Village Board of
Trustees of the Village of Old Field, may accept, by gift, grant, devise,
bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the
Village of Old Field, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries
of the Village of Old Field. 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 Village Board of Trustees.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Village Board of
Trustees 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.
A.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers
of the Village of Old Field to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof.
B.
This chapter is not intended and shall
not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.
