[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Fanwood 9-13-1972 by Ord. No. 638R. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission in the Borough
of Fanwood for the protection, development or use of the natural resources
located within the territorial limits of said Borough, pursuant to
the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1, as amended and supplemented.
[Amended 12-28-1999 by Ord. No. 99-25R]
The Mayor in his/her discretion shall appoint the members of
the Environmental Commission, which shall consist of seven persons,
residents of the Borough, one of whom shall also be a member of the
Planning Board. The Commissioners shall hold office for terms of three
years, from the date in the year in which said appointments are made
and until their successors are duly appointed and have qualified.
All appointments shall be filled for the unexpired term only, in the
same manner as an original appointment. The members shall receive
no compensation for their service. The Mayor may appoint no more than
two alternate members to the Environmental Commission, which alternates
shall be designated as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The terms
of the alternate members shall be for two years. A vacancy occurring
otherwise than by expiration of the alternate's term shall be
filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
A.
Promote the conservation and development of the natural resources
and environment of the Borough of Fanwood.
B.
Plan, implement, and inform the public about local environmental
programs.
C.
Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas
of the Borough of Fanwood and coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes.
D.
Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion
in a municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such open
areas.
E.
Study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation,
water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management,
noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance,
and protection of flora and fauna.
F.
Advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, plans,
and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
G.
Manage donated or purchased lands for conservation and environmental
purposes and operate environmental programs.
H.
Act as the coordinating agency of the community on conservation and
environmental matters and a liaison between the municipality and regional,
county, state, and federal agencies ministering to those needs.
The Commission shall compile and keep an index of all open areas,
publicly or privately owned, including swamps and other wetlands,
in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
A.
The Commission, subject to the approval of the Borough Council, may
acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of said Borough,
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.
B.
Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest,
development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant,
or other contractual right 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.
The Commission shall, subject to the approval of the Borough
Council, have exclusive control of lands acquired for the purposes
herein stated and may adopt suitable rules and regulations for the
use thereof and the conduct of all persons while on or using the same.
The Commission shall keep records of its meeting and activities
and shall make an annual report on or before the first day of December
of each year and submit the same to the Borough Council, which report
shall be comprehensive and detailed covering operations, receipts,
disbursements, and expenditures for the full year.
[Amended 12-28-1999 by Ord. No. 99-25R]
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chair
and Presiding Officer of the Commission. The Commission is authorized
to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
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 Borough Council may annually fix, determine, and appropriate
a sum sufficient for the care and maintenance of such property acquired
for the uses and purposes herein stated, and for the expenses of the
Commission, which shall be raised by taxation in the same manner as
other taxes.
[Amended 12-28-1999 by Ord. No. 99-25R]
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees,
including a nature center groundskeeper, as may from time to time
be required in the furtherance of its duties, subject to approval
by the Mayor and Council. The Commission shall set forth the duties
of such employees, including the nature center groundskeeper.
