[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Hillsdale 6-27-1972 by Ord. No. 72-9 as Ch. 2, Art. 7, of the Revised Ordinances of 1972. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The Commission known as the "Environmental Commission of the Borough of Hillsdale," heretofore established, is hereby continued.
B. 
The Environmental Commission has been established for the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: For state statute authorizing a municipality to provide for an Environmental Commission, see N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, all of whom shall be residents of the Borough, appointed by the Mayor. In addition, there shall be two (2) alternate members designated as first and second alternate, who may participate in the discussions of the proceedings, but shall vote only in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of the Commission. The terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be for two (2) years, except that the alternate members first appointed shall be two (2) years for Alternate No. 1 and one (1) year for Alternate No. 2.
B. 
One (1) member of the Commission shall be from the Borough Planning Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II.
A. 
The full term of office of each Commissioner shall be three (3) years; provided, however, that the terms of the Commissioners first appointed pursuant hereto shall be as follows: three (3) members shall be appointed for one (1) year; 2 members shall be appointed for 2 years; and 2 members shall be appointed for 3 years. Thereafter, the successor of each member shall be appointed for the full term of three (3) years and until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor.
B. 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by an expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
C. 
The Borough Council may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
The Environmental Commission shall have the following duties:
A. 
To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Borough.
B. 
To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
C. 
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes, within the limits of funds appropriated to the Commission.
D. 
To keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, and to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
E. 
To recommend, from time to time, to the Planning Board, plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Borough for the development and use of such areas.
F. 
To do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and designed to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Commission, including, without limitation, the payment of employees as the Commission may from time to time require, within the limits of the funds appropriated to the Commission.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II.
G. 
To keep records of the meetings and activities of the Commission and to make an annual report to the Borough Council.
Subject to the prior approval of the Borough Council after favorable recommendation by the Planning Board, the Environmental Commission may acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Borough, by gift, pledges, grants, bequests, devises or lease, for any of the purposes of the Commission, and it shall administer the same for such purposes, subject to the terms of such conveyance or gift. The interest so acquired may be the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions, or with limitations or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Borough.