[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington 11-16-2020 by Ord. No. 28-2020. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Readington Waterwatch Advisory Committee of the Township of Readington is hereby established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:63-7 and any other applicable statutes for the purpose of studying, discussing and advising the Township Committee and the Environmental Commission with respect to issues concerning the health of the waterways, surface water bodies and ground water within the Township as well as regional, state and federal guidelines that affect these issues.
The Readington Waterwatch Advisory Committee shall have the responsibility to:
A. 
Meet at least 12 times per year.
B. 
To assist and make recommendations to the Township Committee and Environmental Commission regarding ways to achieve, preserve and maintain the health of the various waterways, surface and groundwater within the Township for the health, safety and welfare of its residents.
C. 
Engage in public outreach regarding water issues on behalf of the Township, such as through newsletter articles and encouraging and receiving citizen input.
D. 
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote clean water within in the Township.
E. 
Meet with the Township Committee at least once a year to report on its activities and discussions and provide the governing body with a summary of the issues it has identified and discussed and the positions it believes should be advanced in order to achieve and protect the quality of the waterways, surface water bodies and groundwater within the Township.
F. 
Attend meetings at the county, regional and state level that deal with clean water issues and represent the needs and concerns of Readington residents.
The membership and terms of the Committee shall be established as follows:
A. 
The Committee shall consist of seven regular members and two alternates, all of whom are residents of the Township, are nominated by the Mayor and approved and appointed by the Township Committee. Initial appointments shall be as follows: two members shall be appointed for a one-year term; two members shall be appointed for a two-year term; three members shall be appointed for a three-year term and two members shall be appointed for one-year terms each, as first and second alternates. Thereafter, each member shall serve for a three-year term, or until a successor is duly appointed. When appointing/recommending Committee members, consideration will be given to the prospective member's level of interest in environmental issues and relevant experience.
B. 
The Committee, at its first meeting of each calendar year, shall elect Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. The terms of these officers shall be for one year or until a successor is duly elected.
(1) 
The duties of the officers of the Committee shall be as follows:
(a) 
Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meeting of the committee. Unless a secretary is assigned to the committee, the Chair shall keep minutes of the meeting which shall be deemed to be the property of the Township. The Chair will serve as liaison and spokesperson to the Environmental Commission and the Township Committee.
(b) 
Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair shall carry out the duties of the Chair in the Chair's absence.
C. 
Members of the Committee are expected to attend at least 1/2 of the yearly meetings.
D. 
Members shall serve without compensation except that they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official business.
E. 
Members are subject to and shall be compliant with the Local Government Ethics Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.), as may be amended from time to time.
A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled by the Township Committee for the unexpired term only.
All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-7, et seq.).
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
If the provision of any article, section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this ordinance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder or any such article, section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause and, to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.