2-4-5: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Formulate and recommend to the town council for adoption an open space plan. The plan shall provide a general guide for the expenditure of funds by the town council from the town's Open Space Fund, and shall be fully integrated with all open space related Town programs and policies, such as the town master plan, trails master plan and the recreation master plan. The plan shall include, without limitation, policies and guidelines which:
1. Establish the goals and objectives of a Town program for the acquisition, maintenance, protection and preservation of open space.
2. Define the types of open space to be acquired or protected by the town using funds from the town's Open Space Fund, which may include open space and historical and recreational properties and interests.
3. Identify the criteria to be used by the town council to select specific parcels for acquisition or other protection using funds from the town's Open Space Fund.
4. Provide a process for the commission and the public to provide input and recommendations to the town council concerning specific protective actions which the town should take related to open space.
B. Periodically recommend revisions to the open space plan as and when requested by the town council.
C. Advise the town council on all matters related to the implementation of the open space plan, including, without limitation:
1. Open Space Fund expenditures;
2. Identification of specific parcels to be acquired or otherwise protected under the town's open space plan; and
3. Suggested maintenance, stewardship and improvement proposals for properties to be acquired or otherwise protected under the town's open space plan.
D. Continuously coordinate its efforts with other organizations and entities whose missions include the protection and stewardship of open space.
E. Perform such other and further duties and responsibilities with respect to the town's Open Space Acquisition Program as may, from time to time, be delegated by the town council, or which are provided for by Town ordinance.
F. Nothing in this chapter shall alter or abridge in any way the final authority of the town council to determine how to implement and operate the town's open space plan. Such authority shall include, without limitation, the final authority to determine which parcels of land are to be acquired or otherwise protected using funds from the town's Open Space Fund. (Ord. 2, Series 1997)