[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.
