[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Chili 1-26-1972 by L.L. No. 1-1972[1] (Ch. 9 of the 1980 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Architectural Review Committee — See Ch. 12.
Code of Ethics — See Ch. 36.
Freshwater wetlands — See Ch. 283.
Zoning — See Ch. 500.
[1]
Editor's Note: Res. No. 443, adopted 10-8-1973, provided that since the Conservation Commission had completed an open space index and conservation open space map and this index and map have been accepted by the Town Board, the Conservation Commission shall be redesignated a "Conservation Board," pursuant to § 239-y of the General Municipal Law. This resolution further provided that whenever the word "Commission" appeared In L.L. No. 1-1972, it shall be changed to "Board."
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Chili, 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 Chili. 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 Chili 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 Chili hereby creates a board which shall be known as the "Town of Chili Conservation Board," hereinafter called the "Board."
A. 
The Board shall consist of seven members, of which seven shall be appointed by the Chili Town Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board. Persons residing within the Town of Chili who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Board.
[Amended 12-15-1999 by L.L. No. 6-1999]
B. 
Vacancies on the Board 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.
C. 
All members shall be appointed for full terms of two years.
[Amended 12-3-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008]
D. 
The Town Supervisor, a specific member of the Town Board, the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Commissioner of Public Works, the Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee, the Attorney and other officials that may hereafter be designated by the Town Board shall be ex officio members of the Board.
[Amended 12-3-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008]
[Amended 12-3-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008]
The Town Board shall designate members of the Board to act as Chairman and Recording Secretary. The Board 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 § 19-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Board 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 of Chili 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 of Chili.
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 issues and support for their solutions.
C. 
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made features within the Town of Chili 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 Board for their preservation and/or use.
E. 
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Town of Chili in accordance 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 Board. The Board shall designate its liaison officer to any and all specific local organizations such as the Monroe County Environmental Council, etc.
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 Chili 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.
H. 
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in accordance with the purposes of this chapter.
I. 
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Board into local environmental conditions.
J. 
When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Chili, accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Chili, 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 Chili. 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. Under the above provision, the Board may accept gifts or grants, but only upon authorization by the Town Board. Likewise, if a purchase is involved, the power to make such purchase, by negotiation or condemnation, is vested in the Town Board. Purchases may be effected in accordance with the provisions of existing laws as applicable to the Town of Chili. The addition of a purchase provision in this chapter is optional.
K. 
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Town Board.
[Amended 12-3-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008]
The Board shall submit an annual year-end report to the Town Board not later than the first day of December of each year concerning the activities and work of the Board and from time to time shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
[Amended 12-3-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008]
The members of the Board, including ex officio members, shall receive compensation in an amount set by the Town Board for their services as members thereof. The governing body of the Town of Chili may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Board, including but not limited to expenses for professional staff, consultants, clerical assistance and printing and distribution of publications. The Board should prepare and submit an annual budget request in the manner prescribed by the Town of Chili. The Town of Chili, upon request by the Board, may also from time to time and for designated purposes assign or detail public employees to perform work for the Board.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town of Chili 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.