[Adopted 2-4-1970 (§ 2-6 of the 1975 General
Ordinances)]
The Township Environmental Commission is hereby
established.
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 Township.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members first appointed to serve
as chairperson and presiding officer of the Commission, and, thereafter,
in January of each year, at the time of the appointment of successors
for such member or members whose terms then expire, the Mayor shall
designate one of the members as chairperson for the ensuing year.
The terms of office of the first commissioners shall be as follows:
one member for one year, two members for two years each and two members
for three years each, the terms of each initial appointee to be designated
by the Mayor in making his/her appointments, and their successors
shall each be appointed for terms of three years, such years to be
determined by the calendar years, provided that each member shall
hold office until the appointment and qualification of his/her successor.
[Added 4-9-1997 by Ord. No. 04-97]
A.
Alternate members.
(1)
Two alternate members shall be appointed by the Mayor
and shall be entitled "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(2)
No alternate members shall be permitted to act on
any matter in which he or she 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 governing body for cause.
(3)
Alternate members 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.
B.
Terms. The terms of the alternate members shall be
for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members shall
be such that the term of not more than one alternate member shall
expire in any one year; provided, however, in no instance shall the
terms of the alternate members first appointed exceed two years.
The Township Committee may remove any member
of the Commission for cause, upon written charges being duly filed
and served upon the member, and after 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 by expiration of a term
of a member, shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as the original appointment.
The Commission shall have power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas and other natural
resources of the Township, and may coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes within the Township, and may
advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets, and other information, which, in its judgment, it deems
necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all public or
privately owned areas, 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
and to the Township Committee plans and programs for inclusion in
master plans in the development and use of such areas. In addition
to the foregoing, the Board shall have such powers as the Township
Committee may, by ordinance, authorize, pursuant to subsequent enabling
legislation.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the Township Committee, acquire real and personal
property, in the name of the Township, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest,
devise, lease or otherwise, for any of its purposes, and shall administer
the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance
or gift. Such acquisitions may be in the form of fee or lesser title
interests, development rights, easements (including conservation easements),
covenants or other contractual rights (including conveyance on condition
or with limitation or reservations) 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 Township.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records
of its meetings and activities and, in January of each year, shall
make an annual report to the Township Committee.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other
clerical assistants or employees, as it may, from time to time, require,
provided that any compensation of such employees shall be limited
to funds appropriated for such purpose by the Township Committee.
