[Adopted 9-26-2023 by L.L. No. 6-2023]
The purpose of the Recreation Advisory Board (RAB) is to:
A.
Provide a resource to the Town boards and departments for strengthening
and supporting public parks, facilities and recreation program needs
in the Town of Farmington; and
B.
Increase the visibility of, promote and enhance the image of recreational
opportunities to the public; and
C.
Establish and maintain effective communications with the Town boards
and departments and Town residents; and
D.
To identify specific goals, objectives and implementation actions
to be contained in the latest edition of the adopted Town of Farmington
Comprehensive Plan; and
E.
To provide ongoing technical assistance to the Town's boards
established for managing the built environment; and
F.
To assist the Town Board in the maintenance of high standards in
park and recreational leadership and in the quality of the recreation
program service.
The intent of these regulations is to identify the Town of Farmington
Recreation Advisory Board (RAB) is hereby established to provide information
to the residents of the Town, the Town Board, Town Planning Board,
Town Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Environmental Conservation Board
and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation on issues relating to sustaining, promoting and identifying
public park lands, facilities and recreational needs within the Town.
A.
To investigate and determine the needs and interests of the community
for recreational facilities and programs, including, but not limited
to, senior citizen facilities and programs, and make recommendations
on how to meet these needs and interests; and
B.
To interpret and advise facility and program needs to the Town Recreation
Director, the Town Parks Superintendent, and the Town Board; and
C.
To interpret the community recreation program and bring needs/ideas
to the attention of elected officials and the public; and
D.
To maintain the Town of Farmington Parks and Recreation Master Plan
and any other studies of parks and recreation opportunities for the
acquisition and development of an adequate system of parks, trails,
and recreation programs; and
E.
To solicit and enlist public opinion of and support for park and
recreation services through such means as community and neighborhood
groups; and
F.
To assist the Town Board in developing partnerships with other organizations
and private groups (e.g., Victor Hiking Trails, Ontario Pathways,
etc.) to further the Town's Parks and Recreation objectives with
added and varied programs; and
G.
To advise and recommend recreational needs for possible inclusion
in the Parks Department and the Recreation Board's annual operating
budgets; and
H.
To assist the Town Park Superintendent and the Town Recreation Director
in evaluating recreation programs and activities with input collected
from program participants; and
I.
To assist in recruiting volunteers to assist with park and recreation
program/activities; and
J.
To assist the Director of Recreation and the Town Board in developing
program priorities; and
K.
To educate the public of the importance and need for park and recreational
programs, facilities and services, by including but not limited to
articles contained in the Town of Farmington newsletter and information
posted on the Town's website.
A.
There shall be seven members of the Town of Farmington Recreation
Advisory Board (RAB) appointed by the Town Board.
B.
Board members shall serve three-year terms. However, in order to
stagger the terms, the initial terms of the first four members appointed
shall be three years; and the remaining three members appointed shall
be four years. At the expiration of such initial terms, all terms
shall be for periods of three years.
C.
Vacancies on the RAB shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration
of the term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the
unexpired term.
D.
One Town Board member shall serve as liaison to the RAB.
E.
Members of the RAB shall serve without salary.
Members now holding office for terms established shall, upon
the expiration of their term, hold office until the end of the calendar
year and their successors shall then be appointed for terms which
shall be as specified in the above section.
A.
The RAB each year at its' organizational meeting shall designate
the date, time and place of the RAB meetings for said calendar year.
The Town Board shall appoint the RAB Chairperson who shall serve a
term that expires on December 31 of said calendar year.
B.
Additional meetings may be called by the Chairperson as needed.
The Chairperson is designated leader of the Board and is therefore
accountable for the RAB's overall performance. The Chairperson
shall have the following responsibilities:
A.
Planning and providing the agenda and chairing the meetings; and
B.
Ensuring that all minutes of each meeting accurately record all actions
taken and that minutes are filed with the Town Clerk's office;
and
C.
Seeing that RAB members and the Town Board are fully informed; and
D.
Working with the Director of Recreation and the RAB to plan and develop
programs; and
E.
Supporting policies and programs adopted by the RAB; and
F.
Taking part in an annual review of the recreation programs; and
G.
Providing the Town Board with a written annual overview on RAB activities
and future recommendations; and
H.
Appointing committee chairpersons when needed and giving them a clear
charge and providing opportunities for them to report to the RAB.
A.
Being aware of the Town's parks, facilities and programs; and
B.
Being aware of past Board business, including the minutes of meetings;
and
C.
Coming to meetings fully informed about issues to be discussed; and
D.
Contributing to formulation and establishment of policies for the
RAB; and
E.
Accepting and fulfilling specific assignments; and
F.
Supporting policies adopted by the Town Board and the RAB; and
G.
Evaluating and making recommendations of recreational programs and
services provided by the Town.
The powers and duties of the Town Recreation Director shall
include, but not be limited to:
A.
Plan, organize and administer community events (e.g., Easter egg
hunt, July 3 fireworks event, trunk and treat, and Christmas party),
recreation programs, services and activities.
B.
Manages the daily operations, as well as the long- range planning
of the Recreation Department, its services and facilities along with
the Recreation Advisory Board.
C.
Establishes and maintains planning and working relationships with
other local, state and regional agencies. Works collaboratively with
other Town recreation departments, the school districts, citizens
and other public agencies and organizations to bring about coordinated,
effective delivery of recreation programs.
D.
Prepares and administers the Recreation Department's annual
operating budget.
E.
Approves all payroll, vouchers and requisitions related to the Recreation
Department.
F.
Conducts short-term and long-term planning of department activities
and services, in coordination with the RAC.
G.
Supervises department personnel and volunteers, including hiring,
training, evaluation, and discipline. Recruits, selects, and employs
all personnel necessary for the successful operation of the Recreation
Department. Plans, assigns, and supervises work assignments, and resolves
grievances.
H.
Serves as consultant to the RAB, makes recommendations relative to
all phases of the Department's operations.
I.
Reviews the effectiveness of the Recreation Department and implements
changes or new programs to meet the Town's recreational needs.
J.
Responds to and resolves citizens' inquiries and complaints
related to recreation.
K.
Organizes, develops, and distributes various public information and
marketing materials related to services and programs. Promotes interest
in recreation programs through publicity, social media, brochures,
and public contacts.
L.
Administers and supervises recreation program to ensure conformance
with community expectations, and applicable laws and regulations,
and maximize safety and minimize risk.
M.
Performs related work as required for the smooth operation of the
Recreation Department and all other duties as assigned.
All significant issues, determined by the Town Board, involving
parks or open spaces that come before any branch of the Town may be
referred to the RAB for review and report before they are approved.
Any matter referred to the RAB for possible review and consideration
shall be transmitted in written form to all members of said Board
as soon as may be practical by another referring board and/or by the
Code Enforcement Officer or Town Attorney, as the case may be. If
the referral is reasonably determined to require the review of the
RAB, the RAB Chairperson shall convene a meeting of said Board and
render its opinion or response to said referral prior to the scheduled
date of the referring board's meeting on the matter. With the
advice and consent of a majority of the RAB members not to render
a formal review, the Chairperson shall so notify the referring body.
Such notification shall be deemed to have discharged the responsibility
of the RAB to act on such referral.
A quorum for meeting of the RAB shall be four members. The RAB
is hereby deemed a public body for the purposes of Article 7 of the
New York State Public Officers Law.
The RAB shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not
later than the Town Board's Organizational Meeting of each year,
concerning the activities and work of the RAB during the previous
year and that planned for the coming year.
