WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. December 20, 2005, UPDATED Dec. 21, 10:45 A.M. : Bob Roston, Chair of the White Plains Conservation Board reports to WPCNR that his board too is short members. It consists of 9 persons, but presently only has four members serving. Mr. Roston, invites White Plains residents interested in city environmental issues to apply for the Board. He attaches the following description of members duties and what the Conservation Board does.
Mr. Roston invites those interested in serving or who would like more information on serving to contact Bob Roston, 6 Pilgrim Road, White Plains, NY 10605-3703 Tel. 914 761-3364 Fax 914 761-1811. E mail: bob@rostonfamily.com.
WHITE PLAINS CONSERVATION BOARD
Conservation Board is a State mandated board under Article 12-F of the General Municipal Law; Section 239x. Excerpts of the Law are:
...to advise in the development, management and protection of...natural resources.
...coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes...
...cooperate with...official...bodies active in the area of community planning...
...carry out any other duties, tasks, or responsibilities, consistent with the objectives of this article...
To ...assist a city...in the development of sound open area planning and assure preservation of natural and scenic resources...
...evaluate the proposed use...may include preferable alternative use...
It is comprised of a maximum of 9 volunteer members.
The members are appointed to the Board by the Mayor and Members of the Common Council. The term of office is 2 years. The appointed members serve without remuneration. There is no limitation on the number of years served.
The Conservation Board meets every 3rd Monday of the month. The meetings are held in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall. All meetings start promptly at 8:00 PM. All meetings are open to the public.
In general, the function of the Board is to:
- To advise the Mayor and the Common Council on environmental
matters.
‑ To advise the Mayor and the Common Council on matters related to the conservation of natural resources.
‑ To make recommendations to all City Agencies on the environmental implications of land use changes for all properties listed in the ‑
Open Space Inventory or those affected by their proximity to the listed
properties.
‑ To engage in such other activities as may benefit the people of White Plains through an improved environment and through wise use of our
natural resources.
Specifically, the functions of the Conservation Board are:
Review all applications for use or development of any open area:
1) Listed in the Open Space Inventory or is abutting or affected by its
proximity.
2) All Conservation Developments.
3) All Environmentally Sensitive Sites.
Update the Open Space Inventory every 10 years.
Create minutes of all meetings.
Applications for use or development, as defined above, are referred to the Conservation Board by the Common Council, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Corporation Counsel. Members of the Conservation Board are assigned the Referrals, they visit the sites, they write reports/letters and lead the discussions of the projects at the regular monthly meetings. The final reports/letters are voted upon by the Board. The secretarial work of typing and distribution is performed by the Planning Department.
