[Adopted as Secs. 2-23 through 2-31 of the
1963 Code]
The purpose of the Conservation Commission is
to promote the development and conservation of natural resources,
including water resources, within the Town.
[Amended 5-10-1971; 10-15-1985; 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10; 5-8-2006 by Ord. No.
06-09]
The Conservation Commission shall consist of
nine members and three alternates, appointed by the Mayor. One member
shall be appointed from the Town Council and the remaining members
and alternates from the Town electorate. Alternates shall sit in the
place of a member at the direction of the Chairman of the Committee.
[Amended 5-10-1971; 10-15-1985; 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10]
A.
The member appointed from the Town Council shall hold
the position for a period that runs coterminously with his/her two-year
term on the Town Council.
B.
The eight members from the Town electorate shall be
appointed to four-year terms which shall expire on September 30 four
years from the date of appointment, with two members being appointed
each year so as to provide for an even rotation of members. The three
alternates appointed from the Town electorate shall be appointed to
three-year terms which shall expire on September 30 three years from
the date of appointment, with one alternate being appointed each year.
The Chairman of the Conservation Commission
shall be appointed by vote of the majority of the members of the Conservation
Commission.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 06-09; 3-12-2007 by Ord. No.
07-03]
The Mayor may remove, for cause, any individual
member of the Conservation Commission by notice in writing.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 06-09; 3-12-2007 by Ord. No.
07-03]
The Mayor may fill any vacancy on the Conservation
Commission caused by resignation. He may fill any vacancy caused by
removal from office with the approval of the Town Council.
The Conservation Commission shall:
A.
Conduct research into the utilization or possible
utilization of land areas of the Town.
B.
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for similar purposes.
C.
Advertise, prepare and distribute books, charts, plans
and pamphlets, as necessary, for its purposes.
D.
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately
owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the
purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
E.
From time to time, recommend to the Mayor, the Town
Council or the Planning Commission places and programs for the development
and use of such areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation
easements.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 06-09]
F.
Request the Town Council to acquire land in the name
of the Town for any of the Conservation Commission's purposes, as
set out in this article.
G.
Keep accurate records of meetings and activities.
H.
Make annual reports to the Town Council in the manner
required of other agencies of the Town.
I.
Receive gifts in the name of the Town for any of its
purposes and administer the same for such purposes, subject to the
terms of the gift.
The Chairman of the Conservation Commission
shall act as liaison with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural
Resources of the state.
The Town Council may appropriate funds for the
Conservation Commission. Approval of the Town Council is required
before the Conservation Commission may expend or contract to expend
any funds to carry out its duties.
