[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Riverton 2-9-1995
as Ord. No. 1-95. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Mayor and Council hereby create and establish an Environmental Commission
pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., which Commission
shall be concerned with the protection, development and use of the natural
resources located in the territorial limits of the Borough of Riverton.
[Amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-10; 4-11-2007
by Ord. No. 1-2007]
A.
The Riverton Borough Environmental Commission herein
established shall be composed of seven members appointed by the Mayor of Riverton.
One member shall also be a member of the Planning Board, one member shall
be a member of Borough Council, and the remaining five members shall be residents
of the Borough.
B.
The three-year terms of two of the current Commission
Members and the one-year term of the member of Borough Council will expire
on December 31, 2007. The three-year term of one of the current Commission
Members will expire on December 31, 2008. The three-year term of the one remaining
Commission Member will expire December 31, 2009. An additional member will
be appointed to serve a term which will expire on December 31, 2008. A second
additional member will be appointed to a term which will expire on December
31, 2009. Thereafter, all appointments to the Riverton Borough Environmental
Commission shall be for a term of three years and until the appointment and
qualification of a successor, except that the Council Member's term shall
be one year only.
C.
Two alternate members may also be appointed. Such alternates
shall be appointed for terms of two years. Vacancies shall be filled and alternate
members shall serve as provided by N.J.S.A. 40:56-1.
[Amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-10]
The Mayor of the Borough of Riverton shall designate one of the members
of the Commission to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
The Commission is authorized to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
A.
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation
but may receive reimbursement for proper and authorized out-of-pocket expenses
in accordance with existing Borough regulations.
B.
All requests for expenditures of funds shall be submitted
by the Commission to the Borough's Chief Financial Officer, who shall
approve or disapprove such requests consistent with budgetary funds available.
The Commission shall not expend or commit the expenditure of any funds without
the written approval of the Borough's Chief Financial Officer.
A.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)
The promotion of the conservation and development of
the natural resources of the Borough of Riverton.
(2)
The planning, implementing and informing of the general
public with respect to local conservation programs.
(3)
The responsibility to compile and maintain an index of
all open areas, publicity or privately owned, including all marshlands, swamps
and other wetlands.
(4)
The conduct of all appropriate research into the possible
use or uses of open spaces in the Borough of Riverton.
(5)
The submission of recommendations to the Planning Board
of appropriate plans and programs for inclusion in the Borough of Riverton
Master Plan and for the general development and use of such areas. Whenever
the Environmental Commission has prepared and submitted to the Planning Board
and the Board of Adjustment an index of the natural resources of the municipality,
the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment shall make available to the
Environmental Commission an informational copy of every application for development
submitted to either Board. Failure of the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment
to make such informational copy available to the Environmental Commission
shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding.
(6)
The preparation of advertisements, books, maps, charts
and other appropriate material necessary to the discharge of its duties and
the distribution of the same.
(7)
To act as a coordinating agency in the community with
respect to conservation matters and as a liaison between local conservation
needs and the regional, state and federal agencies responsible for administering
to those needs.
(8)
To study and make recommendations concerning open space
preservation, water resource management, air pollution control, solid waste
management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance,
marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.
B.
The Commission shall act and discharge its duties within
the limits of funds appropriated to it for such purpose by the Riverton Borough
Council.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and
shall make an annual report on or before the first day of February of each
year and submit the same to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Riverton,
which report shall be comprehensive and detailed, covering operations, receipts,
disbursements and expenditures for the full year.
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 hearing the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring other than by expiration of a term of office shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as provided for a normal appointment in § 13-2 of this chapter.
