§ 801. Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the natural resources conservation districts
in Vermont to form supervisory unions for administrative purposes while still retaining
their individual identities, duties, and powers as authorized under sections 701-740 of this title. The supervisory unions will help carry out a broadened program of conservation,
development, and use of the natural resources and the broadened program will aid cooperation
with local and State agencies, and provide coordination through proper channels with
federal agencies. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968; amended 1969, No. 16, § 2, eff. March 11, 1969.)
§ 802. Formation of supervisory union
The State Natural Resources Conservation Council, on petition from two or more districts,
may combine several districts into a supervisory union after having determined that
such a union is feasible, and in the best interests of the people in the district.
The Council may hold hearings and receive testimony from landowners with lands lying
within the bounds of the proposed supervisory union. If the Council determines that
a union is administratively practicable, feasible, and in the public interest it shall
so indicate in its minutes and proceed with the organization. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968.)
§ 803. Application and procedure
(a) Each district shall appoint one of its supervisors as its member of the supervisory
union board. They may also appoint an alternate who must be a supervisor. The executive
secretary of the Council shall be an advisory member of and clerk of the board.
(b)(1) The board of directors shall present to the Secretary of State an application signed
by them that shall set forth:
(A) that a petition for the creation of the union was filed with the council pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter;
(B) that the proceedings specified in this chapter were taken pursuant to such petition;
and
(C) that the application is filed in order to complete the organization of the union as
a corporate entity.
(2) The application shall be subscribed to by each of the directors.
(c) The application shall be accompanied by a statement by the State Council that a petition
was filed and that thereafter the Council determined that the operation of the proposed
union is administratively practicable and feasible and in the public interest. The
statement shall show the boundaries of the union as defined by the Council.
(d) The Secretary of State shall file and record the application and statement in an appropriate
record book in his or her office. When the application and statement have been filed
and recorded, the union shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this State.
Without cost, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate under seal to the board
of directors, certifying to the due organization of the union and shall file a copy
of the certificate with the application and statement. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968; amended 1995, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 15, 1996; 2019, No. 14, § 26, eff. April 30, 2019.)
§ 804. Board of directors; organization; pay
The board of directors shall elect a chair from among its members and may from time
to time change the designation. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.
A board member shall be entitled to receive compensation for services at a rate not
to exceed the per diem rate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 1010(b). A board member shall also be entitled to expenses including traveling expenses.
The per diem and expenses shall be subject to review and control of the Council. The
board may call upon the Attorney General of the State for such legal services as it
may require. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968; amended 1995, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 15, 1996.)
§ 805. Powers and duties of board
The board of directors shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) It shall keep a record of all proceedings and resolutions and provide for an annual
audit of receipts and disbursements.
(2) It shall offer appropriate assistance to the member districts.
(3) It shall coordinate the programs of the member districts so far as this may be done
by advice and consultation.
(4) It shall elect a Council member to represent their union for a two-year term. The
Council member must be a district supervisor from a district within the union, but
need not be on the union board. They may also elect an alternate Council member who
must be a supervisor from a district within the union and need not be on the union
board.
(5) It may employ a union conservationist and shall determine his qualifications, duties
and salary, with the advice and approval of the Council, but he or she must be an
employee of the State of Vermont under the classified system.
(6) It shall provide for the execution of surety bonds for all employees and officers
who are entrusted with funds.
(7) It may, within appropriation limits, enter into agreements to furnish financial or
other aid to any agency, governmental or otherwise, in planning for the conservation,
development, and use of natural resources. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968; amended 1995, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. May 15, 1996.)
§ 806. Removal of board member
Any board member may be removed from office by the Council upon notice and hearing
for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other reason. The Council
shall replace any board member so removed by a representative from the district of
the removed member. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968.)
§ 807. Duties of union conservationist
The union conservationist shall:
(1) Devote his or her entire time to the duties of his or her office and apportion his
or her time as prescribed by the board of directors after determining the workload
in districts. He or she shall help implement programs of the member districts and
shall perform the duties as set forth by the board of directors from time to time.
(2) Endeavor to coordinate programs and plans of the member districts.
(3) Furnish the executive secretary of the Council such data and information from time
to time as he or she may require.
(4) Report to the executive secretary of the Council on or before July 15 each year, the
needs, conditions, and progress of the districts under his or her jurisdiction.
(5) Report to the board of directors and the member districts annually concerning his
or her activities and the needs of the districts within the union, together with recommendations
for their improvement. (Added 1967, No. 303 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 22, 1968.)