[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Crawford 4-14-1988
by L.L. No. 3-1988. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Crawford 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 Crawford. It is recognized that the biological 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 working in partnership with local and state
officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
Establishment of a Conservation Advisory Council is a necessary step in fostering
unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Crawford hereby creates an advisory council,
which shall be known as the "Crawford Conservation Advisory Council," hereinafter
called the "Council."
A.
The Council shall consist of five members, of which five
shall be appointed by the Town Board for two-year terms ending on December
31 and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board, and the remainder
shall be ex officio members as provided herein. Persons residing within the
Town of Crawford who are interested in the improvement and preservation of
environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the
Council. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration
of a term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
B.
One or more members of the governing body, the Chairman
of the Planning Board, Town Engineer, Town Attorney and other officials that
may be hereafter designated by the Town Board shall be ex officio members
of the Council. Such ex officio members shall not be voting members of the
Council.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Council to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Council, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Council shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. Such rules and procedures shall be approved by the Town Board. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 12-6 of this chapter.
The duties of the Council shall be to:
A.
Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation,
development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions on
the Town insofar as quality, biological integrity, beauty and other environmental
factors are concerned. In the case of man's
activities and developments, advise on any adverse effects to environmental
quality as to enhance the long-range value of the environment to the people
of the Town.
B.
Conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources
within the Town of Crawford.
C.
Maintain an up-to-date index of all open spaces, as defined
in § 239-y of the General Municipal Law, 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; and scenic and other open areas
of natural or ecological value. Such index shall include the ownership and
present and proposed uses of such open areas so as to provide a base of information
for recommendations by the Council for its preservation and/or use.
D.
Work in cooperation with the Planning Board; recommend
from time to time to the Town Board features, plans and programs relating
to environmental improvement and appropriate and desirable changes in existing
local laws and ordinances relating to environmental and land use controls
or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
E.
Prepare maps, charts and pamphlets in accord with the
purposes of this chapter as allowed by fiscal appropriation of the Town Board.
F.
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Council
into local environmental conditions.
G.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board and Planning Board.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions
and 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 Council.
From time to time the Council shall submit such reports and recommendations
as may be necessary to fulfill the purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Council, including ex officio members, shall receive
no compensation for their service 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 and as approved in
advance by the Town Board.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town of
Crawford 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.
The establishment of an Advisory Board must be by resolution and a public
hearing called by the Town Board.
