§ 847-c. Tug Hill commission powers and duties. The commission shall
have the following powers and duties:

1. To adopt and use a seal; to sue and be sued; to appoint and remove
officers, agents and employees and determine their qualifications,
duties and compensation; to acquire, hold and dispose of personal
property; to retain or employ counsel, private consultants, and
independent contractors; to make and execute contracts and all other
instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and
functions under this article.

2. To prepare, publish and disseminate information or reports to
highlight for state agencies, local governments, and the general public
issues, problems, and opportunities relevant to the Tug Hill region, in
concert with state and federal agencies and others.

3. To stimulate action by public and private organizations on
regionwide issues, problems and opportunities that affect the Tug Hill
region, with primary emphasis on possible solutions at the local level
and with attention to the ways in which information developed and
experience gained in the Tug Hill region may be usefully shared
elsewhere in New York state.

4. To request and receive from any department, division, office,
board, bureau, commission, agency, or instrumentality of the state and
from any political subdivision or agency thereof, such assistance and
data as will enable it to conduct its studies and investigations
hereunder.

5. To assist local governments and other appropriate state and local
organizations to plan and work for a positive future, and to do this, as
far as possible, through intermunicipal cooperation and through
technical assistance, including planning assistance, legal assistance,
training, citizen education and participation assistance, and assistance
in preparation of grant applications to other entities.

6. To serve a coordinating role in utilizing the capabilities of other
organizations to carry out the duties prescribed in this section.

7. To establish a central clearinghouse for technical studies, which
may be used by members of the public, local governments, and state
agencies in addressing state and regionwide resource conservation and
development issues.

8. To develop agreements with local, county, or regional agencies to
provide staff services; through grants or contracts to help finance
services for intermunicipal cooperation; to provide planning services in
conjunction with county planning departments and regional planning
boards, and to provide supplementary technical assistance and
educational services through public or private groups.

9. To apply for and receive from the federal and state government and
public and private agencies, funds to accomplish the purposes of the
commission and to solicit, receive and utilize gifts and donations of
any kind from any source.

10. To assist municipalities in preparing and adopting comprehensive
planning programs, including appropriate laws, ordinances and codes.

11. To enter into agreements for the extension of its powers and
duties to other local governments, in concert with local, state and
federal agencies and others.

12. To lease and manage real property, solely for the purpose of
providing for the official offices of said commission.