[Ord. 2007-02-01, 2/12/2007]
A Township Planning Commission, to be composed of seven members,
appointed as provided in § 202 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code (53 P.S. § 10202), is hereby created in and
for the Township of New Britain. The Planning Commission shall perform
all duties and may exercise all powers conferred by law upon Township
planning agencies; provided, the Planning Commission previously created
in and for the said Township shall constitute the tenure of any of
the members thereof, but any and all vacancies in the said Commission
hereafter occurring shall be filled in the manner provided in the
law governing Township planning commissions in effect at the time
of the happening of the said vacancy. The term of each of the members
of the commission shall be for four years, or until his successor
is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first
appointed pursuant to § 202 of the Municipalities Planning
Code shall be so fixed that on commissions of eight members or less
no more than two shall be reappointed or replaced during any future
calendar year.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
An Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is hereby established
for the purpose of advising the New Britain Township Board of Supervisors
and other boards and committees of the Township on matters dealing
with the protection, conservation, management, and use of natural
resources, including air, land, and water resources located within
the Township, and to help educate residents about the importance of
environmental protection.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC shall consist of five members. Members must be residents
of New Britain Township.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
1.
Council members shall be appointed in accordance with the following
procedures:
A.
The members of the EAC shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors;
B.
Members of the EAC shall each serve for a term of three years or
until their successor is appointed.
(1)
Upon creation of the EAC, members first appointed shall be appointed
so that two members' terms shall expire after one year, an additional
two members' terms shall expire after two years, and the fifth
initial member's term shall expire after three years. The terms
of the successors of the initial members shall be three years each.
C.
Vacancies occurring other than by the expiration of a term shall
be for the unexpired term and shall be filled in the same manner as
original appointments.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC members shall receive no compensation for their services
but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred
by them in the performance of their duties, subject to the overall
budget limits and procedures set for such purposes by the Board of
Supervisors.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC shall be advisory to the Board of Supervisors, the New
Britain Township Planning Commission, the New Britain Township Parks
and Recreation Committee, and any other committee created by act of
the Board of Supervisors if the Board deems it necessary and appropriate.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC Chairperson shall be designated by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
1.
The EAC shall have the following responsibilities:
A.
The Council shall identify environmental problems and recommend plans
and programs for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources
of New Britain Township and for the protection and improvement of
the quality of the environment within New Britain Township, as permitted
by law.
B.
The Council shall make recommendations as to the possible use of
open land areas of New Britain Township.
C.
The Council shall promote community environmental programming.
D.
The Council shall maintain an index of all open areas, publicly or
privately owned, located in the Township, including flood-prone areas,
swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining
information on the proper use of those areas.
E.
The Council shall undertake such environmental tasks as requested
by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the purpose of the
EAC.
F.
The Council shall advise appropriate local government agencies, including
the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Board, and Board of Supervisors
in the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift, purchase,
grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease, in matters dealing with
the purposes of environmental conservation.
G.
The Council shall make written report of its activities to the Board
of Supervisors at least annually, and more frequently as mandated
by the Board of Supervisors, and shall furnish a representative to
appear at a public meeting of the Board of Supervisors to report and
discuss the EAC's activities upon request for the same.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC shall meet at least once per quarter, and all meetings
shall be open to the public.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The EAC shall keep records of its meetings and activities and
shall forward them to the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. No. 2023-04-02, 5/15/2023]
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses
incurred by the EAC.
