The Town Board of the Town of Smithtown hereby finds and declares
it to be in the best interest of the citizens of the Town of Smithtown
to create and provide for the appointment of a Disabilities Advisory
Board to advise and recommend to the Town Board such policies and
programs which may aid the disabled people of the Town of Smithtown.
The Board shall be known as the "Disabilities Advisory Board"
and shall consist of up to 15 members whom the Town Board shall appoint
for one-year terms, except for the Chairperson, who shall have a two-year
term. The Chairperson of the Board shall be designated by the Town
Board from among the members appointed to the Board. A vacancy shall
be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original
appointment.
The Disabilities Advisory Board shall:
A. Meet monthly and submit an agenda for each meeting to the Town Board
at least two business days before the scheduled meeting date;
B. Advise the Town Board regarding the needs and concerns of persons
with disabilities concerning appropriate Town action;
C. Make recommendations to, and cooperate with, proper Town authorities,
departments, and agencies concerning issues involving persons with
disabilities;
D. Ensure nondiscrimination and full participation of persons with disabilities
in aspects of community life within the Town;
E. Implement, or cause to be implemented by the appropriate public agency,
the provision of adequate public services, including social, educational,
recreational, and other necessary services for persons with disabilities;
F. Keep informed regarding relevant state and federal laws and regulations
and obtain and disseminate information on existing services available
to persons with disabilities;
G. Appoint advisory groups and committees necessary to extend the efforts
and purposes of the Board; and
H. Investigate, research, and collaborate with other entities, when
appropriate, to fund projects consistent with pursuing the Board's
endeavors.
The members of the Disabilities Advisory Board shall serve without
compensation. The Town Board, however, may appropriate in the annual
budget of the Town a sum of money to provide to the Disabilities Advisory
Board funds to defray the costs and expenses incurred by it in the
performance of its duties set forth hereinabove, such appropriation
to be a charge upon the taxable property of the Town of Smithtown
outside the incorporated villages contained therein.