[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger 4-16-1984
by L.L. No. 2-1984. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Wappinger, 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 Wappinger. 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 working in
partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private
institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of a conservation
commission is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental
problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Wappinger hereby creates a Commission
which shall be known as the "Town of Wappinger Conservation Advisory Council,"
hereinafter called the "Council."
A.
The Council shall consist of five members of which all
shall be appointed by the Town Board 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 Wappinger 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 term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
[Amended 9-22-1988 by L.L. No. 13-1988]
B.
One or more members of the governing body, the Chairman
of the Planning Board, Superintendent of Highways, Chairman of Recreation
Commission, Town Attorney or Attorney to the town and other officials that
may be hereafter designated by the Town Board shall be ex officio members
of the Council.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Council to act as Chairman thereof. The Council 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 § 9-6 of this chapter.
The powers and 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 of
the town insofar as quality, biologic integrity, beauty and other environmental
factors are concerned; in the case of man's activities and developments,
advise on 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 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 and maintain an inventory of the natural resources
within the Town of Wappinger.
D.
Maintain, as reasonable as possible, an up-to-date index
of all open spaces as defined in § 239-y of the General Municipal
Law, in public or private ownership within the municipality, including but
not limited to natural landmarks, glacial 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.
Such index shall include the ownership, present and proposed uses of such
open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by
the Council 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 Wappinger in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private
agencies and organizations whose programs and activities have an impact on
the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the Council.
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 Wappinger and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable
changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental and
land use controls 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, as reasonably as possible 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 Wappinger, the Council may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise, property both real and personal in the name of the Town of Wappinger,
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 Wappinger.
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 Town 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, upon
resolution of the Town Board, receive compensation for their services as members
thereof. They 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
Wappinger 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.
