[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Elma 11-3-1971 by L.L. No. 1-1971. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Elma, 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 Elma. 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 of
Elma, working in partnership with local and state officials and with
various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
Establishment of a Commission for Conservation of the Environment
is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Elma hereby creates a Commission
which shall be known as the "Elma Commission for Conservation of the
Environment," hereinafter called "the Commission."
A.Â
The
Commission shall consist of nine members of which nine shall be appointed
by the Town Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of said Town
Board. Persons residing within the Town of Elma who are interested
in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall
be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission.
B.Â
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 term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
C.Â
Four
of said members so appointed shall hold office for terms of one year,
and five for terms of two years. Successors of members initially appointed
shall serve for terms of two years.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Commission 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 § 8-6 of this chapter.
A.Â
The
powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
(1)Â
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 beauty, quality, biologic integrity and other environmental
factors are concerned, and, in the case of man's activities and
developments, with regard to any major threats posed to environmental
quality, so as to enhance the long-range value of the environment
to the people of the Town.
(2)Â
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the
Town Board, conduct a program of public information in the community,
which program shall be designed to foster increased understanding
of the nature of environmental problems and issues and support for
their solutions.
(3)Â
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made
features within the Town of Elma and such other studies and surveys
as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
(4)Â
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open spaces 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, marshland and other
wetlands; unique biotic communities; scenic and other open areas of
natural and ecological value, and of the ownership, present use and
proposed use of such open areas, so as to provide a base of information
for recommendations by the Commission for their preservation and/or
use.
(5)Â
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions and individuals within the Town of Elma in accord with
the purposes of this chapter.
(6)Â
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies
and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs
and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or
who can be of assistance to the Commission.
(7)Â
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 Elma and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate
and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating
to environmental control or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
(8)Â
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in
accord with the purposes of this chapter.
(9)Â
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books and other
publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission
into local environmental conditions.
(10)Â
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
by the Town Board.
B.Â
When
authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Elma, the
Commission may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise,
property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Elma,
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 Elma. 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 submit an annual report to the Town Board,
not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the
activities and work of the Commission and, from time to time, shall
submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill
the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Commission 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 Elma 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.
