[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Cedar
Grove 12-20-1999 by Ord. No. 99-519. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., there is hereby established an
Environmental Commission in the Township of Cedar Grove for the protection,
development or use of natural resources, including water resources, within
the territorial limits of the Township.
A.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members
appointed by the governing body, one of whom shall be a member of the Township
Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Cedar
Grove. The members shall serve without compensation except as herein provided.
The governing body shall designate one of the members to serve as Chair and
presiding officer of the Commission. Members shall serve for terms of three
years or until a successor is appointed and qualified, except that of the
first members appointed, the terms of three members shall expire on December
31, 2000, the terms of three members shall expire on December 31, 2001, and
the term of one member shall expire on December 31, 2002.
B.
The governing body may remove any member of the Commission
for cause on written charges served on the member and after a hearing thereon
at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
C.
A vacancy on the Commission which occurs otherwise than
by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same
manner as the original appointment.
D.
The governing body may appoint not more than two alternate
members to be designated 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. A vacancy which occurs otherwise than
by expiration of a term shall be filled by the governing body for the unexpired
term only.
E.
An alternate member, after public hearing, if one is
requested, may be removed by the governing body for cause.
F.
An alternate member may participate in discussion 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.
G.
No member or alternate member shall be permitted to act
on any matter in which he or she, either directly or indirectly, has any personal
or financial interest.
A.
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 it purposes
with the approval of the governing body.
B.
The Commission 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 Township Planning Board or the Mayor and Council
plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and
use of such areas.
C.
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 lessor 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, or limit the future use of or otherwise conserve
and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body.
The governing body may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by
the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks and employees
as it may from time to time require within the limits of funds appropriated
to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have 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, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.
