[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Waterford 3-1-1977 by L.L. No.
1-1977. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be cited and may be referred to as the "Town
Conservation Commission Law."
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Waterford, 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 Waterford. 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 Waterford hereby creates a Commission,
which shall be known as the "Town of Waterford Conservation Commission,"
hereinafter called the "Commission."
A.
The Commission shall consist of nine members, of which seven shall
be appointed by the Town Board, who shall serve at the pleasure of
the Town Board, and the remainder shall be ex officio members as provided
herein.
B.
Persons residing within the Town of Waterford who are interested
in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall
be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission.
C.
Vacancies on the Commission 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.
D.
One member of the Town Board and the Chairman of the Planning Board
may be hereafter designated by the Town Board and shall be ex officio
members of the Commission.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be:
A.
To 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,
to 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.
To 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.
To conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources within
the Town of Waterford.
D.
To maintain 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 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 Commission for their preservation and/or
use.
E.
To seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions and individuals within the Town of Waterford in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
To 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
Commission.
G.
Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, to 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 Waterford and, similarly, to 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.
To prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets
in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I.
To obtain and maintain, in orderly fashion, maps, reports, books
and other publications to support the necessary researches of the
Commission into local environmental conditions.
J.
To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
by the Town Board.
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town
of Waterford, the Commission may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the
Town of Waterford, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within the
boundaries of the Town. 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 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 Commission. From time to time, the Commission shall
submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill
the purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Commission, including ex officio members,
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 chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Waterford 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.
