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Borough of Ridgefield, NJ
Bergen County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (3) Index Notes (4)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield 7-12-1982 by Ord. No. 1174. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Borough of Ridgefield Environmental Commission is hereby created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Amended 3-26-2001 by Ord. No. 1738; 2-27-2006 by Ord. No. 1975; 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 2038]
The Commission shall consist of seven members and two alternates appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. One of said members shall also be a member of the Planning Board. All members shall serve without compensation and shall be residents of the municipality.
A. 
The Mayor shall designate annually one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission. The term of office of the first Commissioners 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 qualifications of their successors. Alternate Member No. 1 shall be appointed for a term of two years; Alternate Member No. 2 shall be appointed for a term of one year.
[Amended 2-22-2006 by Ord. No. 1975; 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 2038]
B. 
The Mayor may remove any member of the Commission for cause and written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member will be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
C. 
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.
[Amended 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201]
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 of the municipality plans and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas. In addition to the other powers set forth herein, the Environmental Commission shall also be charged with operating the Borough's Community Gardens and Nature Center as more particularly set forth below.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the municipality 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 governing body of the municipality.
The governing body of a municipality may appropriate funds or the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna.
[Added 12-26-2006 by Ord. No. 2008]
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall also be charged with the planning and administration of Ridgefield’s Community Forestry Management Plan. Disbursements from the Borough’s Shade Tree Fund shall be subject to the approval of the Environmental Commission or the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. The Environmental Commission or the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works shall have authority to accept or reject incoming plant material to the Borough; to make recommendations concerning the pruning of public trees; to make recommendations for the choosing of planting sites and species to be used on all Borough replanting; and for approving disbursements from the Shade Tree Fund. In exercising these powers, the Environmental Commission shall nominate and appoint from amongst its members a Shade Tree Supervisor. In the absence of said action by the Environmental Commission, that position shall be filled by the Chairperson of the Environmental Commission who may delegate the powers and responsibilities to other members. The Environmental Commission may also create an executive committee consisting of no fewer than three regular members, including the Chairperson, and one alternate member, which committee may be authorized to act on behalf of the Environmental Commission when, because of time constraints, decisions must be made before the Commission can address the issue at a regular meeting.
[Amended 11-7-2018 by Ord. No. 2348]
B. 
The powers and responsibilities set forth in this section of the chapter shall be transferred to a shade tree commission when, and if, such a commission is established.
[Added 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201; amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2363]
The Ridgefield Community Gardens are hereby defined as that area of land yet to be determined by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield. The Environmental Commission is hereby authorized to conduct and control the operation of the Community Gardens and the Commission is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate and adopt regulations for the operation of the Community Gardens which must be approved by the Mayor and Council. A copy of said regulations will be filed with the Borough Clerk and shall be adopted by reference as part of this Code after said filing.
[Added 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201; amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2363]
The Ridgefield Nature Center is hereby defined as that area of land wooded fenced in areas (5.4 acres) to the south of Ray Avenue between Shaler Boulevard and Abbott Avenue. The Environmental Commission is hereby authorized to conduct and control the operation of the Ridgefield Nature Center and the Commission is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate and adopt regulations for the operation of the Nature Center which must be approved by the Mayor and Council. A copy of said regulations will be filed with the Borough Clerk and shall be adopted by reference as part of this Code after said filing.