[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Hamilton
8-5-1974 by Ord. No. 464-74. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created a commission for the purpose of improving the
environment and conservation of natural resources, and this commission shall
be known as the "Hamilton Township Environmental Protection Commission."
[Amended 4-5-1976 by Ord.
No. 549-76]
The Mayor, in his discretion, shall appoint the members of the Commission,
which shall consist of seven persons and two alternates, citizens and residents
of Hamilton Township, one of whom shall also be a member of the Township Planning
Board and one of whom shall also be a member of the Township Committee.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A.
The promotion of the conservation and development of
the environmental quality of Hamilton Township.
B.
Planning and informing the public about local conservation
programs.
C.
Compilation of all open areas, publicly or privately
owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, and maintaining
an index thereof.
D.
The power to conduct research into the possible use of
open areas and the preservation or protection of resources such as air and
water.
E.
Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for
inclusion in a municipal master plan and the development and use of open areas.
F.
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its
purposes.
G.
Manage lands which have been donated to or purchased
by the township for conservation purposes and operate conservation programs.
H.
Act as the coordinating agency of the community on conservation
matters and as liaison between local conservation needs and regional, state
and federal agencies ministering to those needs.
I.
Study and make recommendations to the Planning Board
concerning open space preservation, water resources, management, air pollution
control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection
and environmental appearance.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and
presiding officer of said Commission for the period of said member's tenure.
The Commission is authorized to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
The Township Committee 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 Township Committee may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred
by the Commission, which may include the appointment of clerks and other employees
as the Commission may from time to time require and subject to the limit of
funds appropriated to the Commission.
The Environmental Protection Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.
