[HISTORY: Adopted by Town Meeting of the
Town of Brookfield 1-16-1995.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Inland Wetlands Commission — See Ch. 34.
Planning and Zoning Commissions — See Ch. 51.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 15, Conservation Commission, adopted 7-9-1963 by Town Meeting
of the Town of Brookfield.
There is hereby established a Conservation Commission
of the Town of Brookfield, which shall be known as the "Conservation
Commission."
The Conservation Commission shall consist of five members and three alternates, who shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the provisions of § C4-12, § C7-4, § C7-5 and § C7-6 of the Town Charter. The qualifications of said members and alternates shall be as set forth in § C7-3 of the Town Charter. The terms of office of said members and alternates shall be as set forth in Exhibit A of the Town Charter, except that the current members and alternates of the Commission shall serve for the balance of the terms for which they were appointed.
A member of the Board of Selectmen, appointed pursuant to the provisions of § C5-2F of the Town Charter, shall serve as an ex officio member of the Commission.
The procedures of the Commission, including election of officers, shall be as set forth in § C7-1 of the Town Charter, subject to the additional requirement that regular meetings of the Commission shall be held not less than once a month. The Commission may hold such special meetings as it deems appropriate.
The Commission shall have the following powers
and duties:
A.
To
supervise and control all designated open space, conserved land and
dwellings and other structures upon those properties owned or controlled
by the Town and to make rules and regulations for the use of said
land and dwellings and other structures subject to the approval of
said rules and regulations by the Board of Selectmen. To designate
"historically significant" dwellings and other structures as such
and to maintain such dwellings and other structures in accordance
with The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment
of Historic Properties. Reference to dwellings and other structures
in this subsection is limited to those dwellings and other structures
that are under the supervision and control of the Conservation Commission.
[Amended 4-4-2012]
B.
To advise and consult with the Board of Selectmen,
Planning Commission and Zoning Commission with reference to the acquisition
of open space land and conserved land areas and to make recommendations
to said Board and Commissions with reference to the impact, if any,
which the development of land which is adjacent to open space or conserved
land areas would have on said properties.
C.
To advise and make recommendations to the Planning
Commission, Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands Commission regarding
proposed land development and proposed changes in land use.
D.
To
expend, for the purposes set forth in this chapter, funds appropriated
to it in the annual budget or any supplemental appropriation as well
as to raise funds and apply for grants in connection with the purchase
and/or maintenance of all open spaces and the dwellings and other
structures therein.
[Amended 4-4-2012]
E.
To educate the public concerning conservation of land and the historic
and agricultural heritage of Brookfield.
[Added 4-4-2012]
The Commission may impose admission fees and
other reasonable fees and charges for the use of the lands under its
control. All such fees and charges shall be approved by the Board
of Selectmen prior to being imposed.
[Amended 4-4-2012]
The Commission may rent or permit the use of
the lands, dwellings and other structures under its control by private
individuals and organizations, provided that said rental or use does
not substantially interfere with the use of said lands, dwellings
and other structures by the residents of the Town. The Commission
shall establish rules and regulations for such rental and use, subject
to the approval thereof by the Board of Selectmen.
[Amended 4-4-2012]
The Commission, with the prior approval of the
Board of Selectmen, may enter into contracts and other agreements
which are appropriate to enable it to perform the functions and duties
delegated to it by the provisions of this chapter, including contracts
for the provision by third parties of services on lands, dwellings
and other structures under its control. However, the Commission shall
not enter into any contract or agreement which shall obligate the
Town to the expenditure of funds in excess of the amount appropriated
therefor.
With the prior approval of the First Selectman,
the Commission may request assistance in the performance of its duties
from any other Town board, commission, department or agency. Such
assistance shall be provided in a timely and competent manner by such
other board, commission, department or agency.
In the event that any dispute arises between
the Commission and any other Town agency, board, commission or department
regarding their authority and control over any specific land, building
or facility owned or controlled by the Town, said dispute shall be
resolved by the Board of Selectmen, whose decision shall be final
and binding on the parties to the dispute.
