[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Florham Park 5-18-1999 by Ord. No. 8-99. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created and established an Environmental Commission for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Borough of Florham Park pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 of the State of New Jersey.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members, appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a Council member and one of whom shall be a member of the Borough Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of Florham Park.
[Amended 12-18-2001 by Ord. No. 29-01]
B. 
The members shall serve without compensation.
C. 
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
D. 
The terms of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making the appointments so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until appointment and qualification of their successors.
E. 
The Mayor or Council of the Borough may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
F. 
A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
G. 
There shall be two alternate members appointed by the Mayor, who shall be residents of the Borough of Florham Park. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." 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. 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. Procedures concerning filling vacancies and removal from office shall be the same as for regular members.
The Environmental Commission shall have the following duties to:
A. 
Study and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council in areas of conservation and environmental protection, which shall include but not be limited to pollution control of all types; waste disposal, including sewage, garbage and solid waste; open space preservation, with emphasis on outdoor recreation needs, aesthetic flora and fauna preservation and beautification; and water resources.
B. 
Plan local conservation programs and inform the public about those programs.
C. 
Prepare, print and distribute informational materials, such as books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes, within the limits of funds appropriated to the Commission and with the approval of the Borough Council.
D. 
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
E. 
Recommend, from time to time, to the Planning Board, plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Borough of Florham Park for development and use of such areas.
F. 
Operate conservation programs on lands donated or purchased for conservation purposes by the Borough of Florham Park.
G. 
Do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and assigned to carry out the purposes and objectives of the commission.
The Environmental Commission may recommend to the Borough Council the acquisition of property, both real and personal, to the Borough of Florham Park, 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 Borough of Florham Park.
A. 
Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held at the call of the Chairman or, in his absence or disability, at the call of the Vice Chairman.
B. 
At all meetings a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission.
C. 
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and shall make an annual report to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Florham Park on or before the 15th day of December.
The Council, at its discretion, may annually fix, determine and appropriate sums sufficient for the care, custody, leasing and maintenance of such land acquired for these uses and purposes herein stated, if necessary, and for the expenses of said Commission.