This Commission is established pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat., § 7-131a which permits the establishment of a Conservation Commission.
(A) The Commission shall conduct research, prepare reports, make recommendations to the Mayor, Legislative Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission and other appropriate authorities, and perform all other duties as may be assigned or requested by the Mayor and/or the Legislative Council in connection with the development, conservation, supervision and regulation of natural resources, including water resources.
(B) Its powers shall be derived from or granted by state statutes and local ordinances and regulations as the same may be amended from time to time.
(C) The Commission shall be subject to all restrictions relating to appropriations and expenditures as specified in the Town Charter.
(D) The Commission shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately-owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
(E) The Commission may recommend to the Mayor, Legislative Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission and other appropriate authorities plans and programs for the development and use of open areas.
(F) The Commission may propose a greenways plan for inclusion in the conservation and development plan of the town, pursuant to state statutes.
(G) The Commission may inventory natural resources and formulate watershed management and drought management plans consistent with water supply management plans prepared pursuant to state statutes.
(H) The Commission may make recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Inland Wetland Commission, and other town agencies on proposed land use changes.
(I) It may, with the approval of the Legislative Council, acquire land and easements in the name of the town and promulgate rules and regulations, including but not limited to the establishment of reasonable charges for the use of land and easements, for any of its purposes set out in this section.
(J) It may supervise and manage town-owned open space or park property upon delegation of such authority by the entity which has supervisory or management responsi-bilities for such space or property.
(K) The Commission may receive gifts in the name of the town for any of its purposes, and shall administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the gift.
(L) The Commission may exchange information with the Department of Environmental Protection, and said department may, on request, assign technical personnel to the Commission for assistance in planning its overall program and for coordinating state and local conservation activities.
(Ord. 407, passed 5-1-00)