[Adopted 11-8-1971 (§ 2-22 of the
Revised General Ordinances), as amended through Ord. No. 74-1]
There is hereby established an Environmental
Commission of the Township, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A.
Appointment.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
(1)
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor,
at least one of whom shall also be a member of the Township Planning
Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township. The members
of the Commission shall serve without compensation. The Mayor shall
designate one of the members to serve as Chairperson and the presiding
officer of the Commission.
[Amended 12-22-2015 by Ord. No. O-15-26]
(2)
In addition to the regular members, there shall be
two alternate members to the Environmental Commission, also to be
appointed by the Mayor. The terms of the alternate members shall be
for two years except that the terms of the alternate members first
appointed shall be two years for Alternate Number 1 and one year for
Alternate Number 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate
member shall expire in any one year. At the time of the appointment,
the Mayor shall designate the individual being appointed as Alternate
Number 1 or Alternate Number 2. An alternate member may participate
in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence
or the disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed
in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.
In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member
is to vote, Alternate Number 1 shall vote first.
B.
Term. Terms of office of the members of the Commission
shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor
in making his appointments, so that the terms of approximately 1/3
of the members will expire each year and their successors shall be
appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors. Members of the Commission may be removed in accordance
with the ethics ordinance of the Township.
C.
Vacancies. A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise
than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term
in the same manner as the original appointment.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
The Environmental Commission shall have power
to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land
areas of the municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare,
print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which
in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep
an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information
on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend
to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master
Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and
personal, in the name of the Township by gift, purchase, grant, bequest,
devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same
for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift.
Such an acquisition may be to acquire 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
municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records
of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to
the Township Committee.
