[Adopted 8-28-1974 by L.L. No. 5-1974 (Chapter
24A of the 1974 Code)]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Putnam
Valley, 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 Putnam Valley.
It is recognized that the biologic integrity of the natural environment
on which humans are 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 Putnam Valley 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 Putnam Valley
hereby creates a commission which shall be known as the "Putnam Valley
Commission for Conservation of the Environment," hereinafter called
the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members. In
addition, there may be appointed up to two members of the Commission
who are between 16 and 21 years of age.
[Amended 4-15-1998 by L.L. No. 5-1998]
B.
Three of the members' terms shall conclude in even-numbered
years, and four of the members' terms shall conclude in odd-numbered
years.
[Added 4-15-1998 by L.L. No. 5-1998]
C.
Members shall be appointed by the Town Board for the
term of two years from and after the expiration of the terms of their
predecessors in office.
D.
If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration
of term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the
unexpired term; provided, however, that of the members first appointed,
the Chairperson and half of the members, other than the Chairperson,
shall be appointed for terms of two years, and the remaining members
shall be appointed for the term of one year.
E.
Persons residing within the Town of Putnam Valley
who have demonstrated an interest in the improvement and preservation
of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members
of the Commission.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairperson 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 § 8-24 of this article. The Commission shall meet at least once each month and shall have the power to hold public hearings.
A.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
(1)
Advise the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board
of Appeals and all other Town boards and commissions on matters affecting
the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made
features and conditions of the Town insofar as beauty, quality of
biologic integrity and other environmental factors are concerned and,
in the case of human 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 of Putnam
Valley.
(2)
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.
(3)
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of Putnam Valley and such other
studies and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes
of this article.
(4)
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open
spaces or open areas in public or private ownership within the municipality
(as the term "open areas" is defined in § 239-y of the New
York State General Municipal Law), 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.
(5)
Seek to cooperate with, coordinate, assist and unify
the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within
the Town of Putnam Valley in accord with the purposes of this article.
(6)
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.
(7)
Working in cooperation with the Putnam Valley Planning
Board, recommend from time to time to the Town Board features, plans
and programs relating to environmental improvement and, similarly,
recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing
local laws, ordinances and practices relating to environmental control
or recommend new local laws, ordinances and practices.
(8)
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts
and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this article.
(9)
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of
the Commission into local environmental conditions.
(10)
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Town Board.
B.
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of
the Town of Putnam Valley, the Commission may accept by gift, grant,
devise, bequest or otherwise property, both real and personal, in
the name of the Town of Putnam Valley, 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 Putnam Valley. 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.
The Commission shall submit an annual report
to the Town Board not later than the 31st day of December 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 article.
The members of the Commission 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 article shall be deemed an exercise of
the powers of the Town of Putnam Valley 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.
