[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of LeRoy 4-24-1996 by L.L. No.
1-1996. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the man-made
environment within the Town of LeRoy 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 LeRoy. 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 commission for conservation of the environment is a necessary
step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of LeRoy hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "LeRoy Conservation Advisory Council,"
hereinafter called the "LeRoy CAC."
A.
The LeRoy CAC shall consist of nine members appointed by the Town
Board for a term of two years. The first four members appointed shall
hold office for a term of one year, the second five for a term of
two years, and the successors of all nine initial appointees shall
be appointed for full terms of two years. Persons residing within
the Town of LeRoy who are interested in the improvement and preservation
of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as a member
of the LeRoy CAC. Vacancies on the LeRoy CAC 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.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the LeRoy CAC to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the LeRoy CAC, its members shall elect from among themselves a recording secretary. The LeRoy CAC 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 § 58-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the LeRoy CAC 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 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.
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 issue and support for their solutions.
C.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made
features within the Town of LeRoy and such other studies and surveys
as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
D.
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, marshlands and other
wetlands; unique biotic communities; scenic and other open areas of
natural or 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 Council for the preservation and/or use
of such areas.[1]
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions and individuals with the Town of LeRoy in accord with
the purposes of this chapter.
F.
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 Council.[2]
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 LeRoy and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate
and desirable changes in the existing local laws and ordinances relating
to environmental control 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.
J.
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of LeRoy,
the LeRoy CAC may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise
property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of LeRoy,
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 LeRoy. 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 LeRoy CAC 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 Council 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 LeRoy CAC, 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 thereof.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of LeRoy 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.
This chapter shall take effect immediately as prescribed by
law.
