[Adopted 11-8-1971 (§ 2-22 of the Revised General Ordinances), as amended through Ord. No. 74-1]
There is hereby established an Environmental Commission of the Township, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A. 
Appointment.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
(1) 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, at least one of whom shall also be a member of the Township Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairperson and the presiding officer of the Commission.
[Amended 12-22-2015 by Ord. No. O-15-26]
(2) 
In addition to the regular members, there shall be two alternate members to the Environmental Commission, also to be appointed by the Mayor. 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 Number 1 and one year for Alternate Number 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. At the time of the appointment, the Mayor shall designate the individual being appointed as Alternate Number 1 or Alternate Number 2. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or the 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 Number 1 shall vote first.
B. 
Term. Terms of office of the members of the Commission shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his 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 the appointment and qualification of their successors. Members of the Commission may be removed in accordance with the ethics ordinance of the Township.
C. 
Vacancies. 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 the original appointment.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
The Environmental Commission shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, 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 plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township 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 municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.