[Adopted 12-16-2021 by Ord. No. 1047[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. IV, Environmental Advisory Committee, adopted 4-4-2019 by Ord. No. 998.
The municipality of the Borough of Oceanport Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-12), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972, for the protection, development or use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the Borough.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the municipality of the Borough of Oceanport; the members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided.
B. 
The Mayor shall designate annually one of the members to serve as Chairperson and presiding officer of the Commission.
C. 
The terms of the office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The first members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms: two members for the one-year term expiring December 31, 2022, two members for the two-year term expiring December 31, 2023, three members for the three-year term expiring December 31, 2024. The Mayor or governing body may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after the hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
D. 
The Mayor, in addition to the regular members of the Commission appointed pursuant to Subsections A and B, shall appoint not more than two alternate members. Alternate members shall be designated at the terms of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(1) 
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 No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
(2) 
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the Mayor or governing body for cause.
(3) 
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or 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 No. 1 shall vote first.
The Commission is established for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within territorial limits of the municipality of the Borough of Oceanport. The Commission shall have the following powers:
A. 
Promote the conservation and development of the natural resources and environment of the Borough of Oceanport.
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 municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
D. 
May advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets, which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
E. 
It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshland, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
F. 
Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the municipality 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 make an annual report to the governing body.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and incur such expenses as it may, from time to time, require, providing the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the governing body or otherwise available to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have power to 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, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.