Duties and Responsibilities

Chapter 2.12
 
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
 
Sections:
2.12.010     Appointment--Purpose.
2.12.020     Duties.
2.12.030     Powers.
2.12.040     Membership.
 
2.12.010     Appointment--Purpose.
Pursuant to the provisions of Title 30-A, MRSA Section 3261, the town council shall appoint a conservation commission for the protection and use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the town. (Ord. 4-92 § 2: Ord. 2-92 § 2: prior code § 2-2 (part))
 
2.12.020     Duties.
The commission shall:
 
A. Keep an index of all open areas within the municipality, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the proper protection, development or use of those open areas.
 
The commission may recommend to the municipal officers or any municipal body or board, or any body politic or public agency of the state, a program for the better protection, development or use of those areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements;
 
B. Conduct research, in conjunction with the planning board, into the local land areas;
 
C. Keep records of its meetings, finances and activities and make an annual report to the municipality; and
 
D. Seek to coordinate the activities of conservation bodies organized for similar purposes. (Ord. 4-92 § 3: Ord. 2-92 § 3: prior code § 2-2 (part))
 
2.12.030     Powers.
 
The commission may:
 
A.  Make recommendations for use of land to the planning board and park commission;
 
B.  Prepare and print books, charts, maps, and plans as it deems necessary;
 
C.  Serve as an advisory body to the public works department to review and advise, at least twice a year, at the call of the town manager, in conjunction with the management plan and maintenance of public parks and shade trees in public parks;
 
D.  With the approval of the majority of the Kittery town council, receive gifts in the municipality's name for any of the commission's purposes and shall administer the gift for those purposes, subject to the terms of the gift; acquire land or easements and trusts, and accept gifts of land or money or easements, for conservation purposes; and
 
E. Develop and implement a management plan for Rogers Park with approval of the Kittery town council. (Ord. 4-92 § 4: Ord. 2-92 § 4: Ord. 2-91; prior code § 2-2 (part))
 
2.12.040     Membership.
 
A.The municipal officers may appoint at least three, but not more than seven, conservation commissioners. The commissioners shall be selected from the qualified resident voters of the town. Members shall initially be appointed for terms of one, two and three years, such that the terms of approximately one third of the members will expire each year. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years each. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.
 
B.  The commission may recommend to the municipal officers that associate members be appointed to assist the commission as the commission requires. Associate members are nonvoting members, except when a quorum is absent. Their terms of office shall be for one, two or three years. Associate members shall be selected from the qualified resident voters of the town. (Ord. 4-92 § 5: Ord. 2-92 § 5: Ord. 7-88; prior code § 2-2 (part))