[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of East Hampton 5-12-2009.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 20, Conservation
Commission, adopted 2-14-1989, as amended, was repealed 6-9-2009.
In order to promote the development, conservation
and supervision of natural resources, including water resources within
the territorial limits of the Town of East Hampton, an East Hampton
Conservation - Lake Pocotopaug Commission is hereby established and
hereinafter referred to as "The Commission."
A.
The Commission shall conduct research into the utilization
and possible utilization of land areas of the municipality and may
coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar
purposes and may advertise, prepare and distribute books, maps, charts,
plans and pamphlets as necessary for its purposes.
B.
The Commission shall keep an index of all open areas,
publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and
other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper
use of such areas and may, from time to time, recommend to the Planning
and Zoning Commission plans and programs for the development and use
of such areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements.
C.
The Commission shall recommend acquisition of land
and easements to the Town Council for the purpose of open space or
recreational use. The Commission, upon approval of the Town Council
and Town Meeting, may receive gifts of land and easements in the name
of the Town of East Hampton for purposes not inconsistent with this
chapter.
D.
The Commission may receive gifts of money in the name
of the Town of East Hampton for any purpose not inconsistent with
the purpose of this chapter. Such gifts of money, if not designated
for a special purpose by the donor, shall be determined by a vote
of the Commission. Special gifts of money shall be deposited in a
special fund of the Town of East Hampton created for this purpose
and may be used by the Commission for such special purposes upon approval
by the Town Council. The Director of Finance shall keep an accurate
record of all funds received and disbursed.
E.
The Commission shall recommend to the Town Manager
or designee best management practices for land management on Town-owned
properties.
F.
The Commission shall be the advisory resource of information
from and among each of the Town agencies with respect to any aspect
of conservation of natural resources, including water resources.
G.
The Commission shall provide a Lake Pocotopaug and
Watershed Management Plan at the end of nine months from the effective
date of this chapter, with updates submitted annually, that protect
the environmental aspects of the Lake Pocotopaug ecosystem and watershed
area and other possible watershed management areas, including but
not limited to the Connecticut River, Salmon River and Pine Brook,
improves water quality and ensures appropriate ongoing maintenance
and monitoring.
H.
The Commission shall evaluate and monitor the environmental
and biological needs and conditions of Lake Pocotopaug, the Salmon
River, the Connecticut River, and other streams and tributaries of
same within the Town of East Hampton, and actively investigate grant
opportunities. It shall seek input and establish relationships when
necessary with state agencies, hired consultants and Town organizations
and commissions to create necessary water protection programs or actions
to abate algae and aquatic weed growth, improve fish populations and
combat existing and potential sources of pollution. It may make recommendations
to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency (IWWA) and other Town
agencies and commissions with respect to all applications submitted
to the Commission in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
I.
The Commission shall, on a periodic basis, but not
less than annually, report to the Town Council the environmental conditions
of open space, greenbelts, Lake Pocotopaug and its watershed, the
Salmon River, the Connecticut River, and other streams and tributaries
of same within the Town of East Hampton, any changes in conditions,
and recommend steps to remediate or improve such conditions.
J.
The Commission shall work in cooperation with state
environmental agencies to conduct water quality management studies,
establish educational programs and disseminate information regarding
the care, preservation and protection of Lake Pocotopaug, the Salmon
River, the Connecticut River and other streams and tributaries of
same within the Town of East Hampton by area residents and the general
public.
K.
The Commission shall review all applications submitted
to the East Hampton IWWA, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)
and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) relating to and/or affecting open
space, greenbelts, the Lake Pocotopaug watershed area, the Salmon
River, the Connecticut River and other streams and tributaries of
same and other natural resources within the Town of East Hampton.
All applications shall be submitted to the Commission within five
business days of receipt by the IWWA, P&Z, and ZBA. Any Commission
advisory opinion shall be rendered in sufficient time to enable the
IWWA, P&Z and ZBA, and other Town agencies and commissions, to
review and act upon the application within the time prescribed by
state statute, when applicable.
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven regular members,
and not more than three alternates, all appointed to staggered, overlapping
terms by the Town Council. All appointments shall be for a term of
four years, and terms shall expire on June 30 in each year, except
that an appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be for the duration
of said unexpired term only. Within a period not exceeding 30 days
after the first day of July of each year, the members of the Commission
shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from their own members. Each
of the said commissioners shall serve without compensation and shall
be electors of the Town of East Hampton. No more than five regular
members may be from any one political party.
[Amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.02]
B.
The Town Manager shall assign staff support to the
Commission, as he shall deem necessary to ascertain the work and operations
of the Commission. The assigned staff member will work with the Commission
Chairman to develop the agenda for the meetings and will assist as
the conduit to the Town Manager's office, Town Council and other commissions.
A.
Regular meetings will be held monthly at the East
Hampton Town Hall or other appropriate Town public building. The officers
of the Commission shall consist of a Chairman and a Vice Chairman.
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and shall
have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such
officers. The Chairman shall have the authority to appoint committees,
call special meetings and generally perform other duties as may be
prescribed by Commission bylaws. The Chairman shall be one of the
Commission members and shall have the privilege of discussing all
matters before the Commission and of voting thereon. The Vice Chairman
shall act for the Chairman in his or her absence and shall have the
authority to perform the duties prescribed for that office. He or
she shall be a Commission member.
B.
The Commission shall adopt bylaws, regulations, rules
and procedures to carry out the purpose of this chapter. The Commission,
through its Town staff designee, may submit a budget request to the
Town Manager in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Town
Charter.
C.
Members shall notify Town staff or the presiding Chair
of his or her inability to attend regularly scheduled or special meetings.
Attendance policy shall be in accordance with set Town policy.
