The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Maine, 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 Maine. 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 Maine 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 Maine hereby creates a commission which
shall be known as the Town of Maine Commission for Conservation of the Environment,
hereinafter called "the Commission."
The Maine Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. 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. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
39-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Advise the Maine Town Board on matters affecting the
preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features and
conditions of the Town 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.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Maine 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 Maine 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 Town of Maine 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. Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend
from time to time to the Town Board features, plans and programs relating
to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town
of Maine, and, similarly, recommend to the Maine Town Board 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 Town Board of the
Town of Maine, the Commission may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or
otherwise, property both real and personal in the name of the Town of Maine
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 Maine.
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 Maine Town Board.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Maine 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
Maine 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.