[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Westtown 2-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02. Amendments noted where applicable.]
An advisory council to be known as the "Westtown Township Environmental Advisory Council" is hereby created and shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of seven residents of this Township.
Council members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
A. 
All council members shall be appointed by the Township Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Council members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office. Members shall be eligible for reappointment at the end of their respective terms.
C. 
Duly appointed Council members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year, pursuant to a resolution which will i) establish the initial number of Council members, ii) appoint the initial members, and iii) designate the various terms for each initial member.
D. 
Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the Township Planning Commission.
E. 
The Board of Supervisors shall designate the Chairman of the Council.
Council members shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for authorized expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
The Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory to the Board of Supervisors and shall coordinate its activities with the Township Manager or his/her designee.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers:
A. 
Identify environmental problems, issues, or matters of concern.
B. 
Recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the area of the Township.
C. 
Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of the Township.
D. 
Promote a community environmental program.
E. 
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, flood-prone areas, wetlands, swamps, and other unique natural areas, including but not limited to areas of steep slope and wooded areas.
F. 
Advise the appropriate agencies of the Township in the acquisition of property, both real and personal.
G. 
Undertake such environmental tasks as requested by the Township Board of Supervisors.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall prepare an annual report of its activities.
The Township Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Council.