[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Paulsboro 10-17-1972
by Ord. No. 547;[1] amended in its entirety 12-18-2007 by Ord.
No. 09.07. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to P.L. 1976, c. 115, this ordinance
was readopted 1-18-1977 by Ord. No. 602.
An Environmental Commission is hereby established for the protection,
development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located
within the territorial limits of the Borough of Paulsboro.
A.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members
appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a member of the Borough Land
Use Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of Paulsboro.
The members shall serve without compensation except as herein provided. The
Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman 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 two members shall expire on December 31, 2008, the
terms of two members shall expire December 31, 2009, and the terms of three
members shall expire December 31, 2010.
B.
The Mayor or the governing body may remove any member
or alternate member of the Commission for cause on written charges served
upon the member or alternate member and after a hearing thereon at which the
member or alternate 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 Mayor 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 Mayor for the unexpired term only.
E.
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.
F.
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.
The Commission established under this chapter shall have the following
powers:
A.
Conduct research into the use and possible use of the
open land areas of the Borough.
B.
Conduct research into the proper use of the water resources
within the territorial limits of the Borough, the preservation of such resources
and the elimination of pollution and improper drainage.
C.
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for similar purposes.
D.
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets necessary for the Commission's purpose, subject
to the prior approval of Borough Council and certification of the availability
of funds by the Administrator/CFO and within the limits of funds appropriated
to the Commission by Borough Council.
E.
Maintain and keep an index of all open areas, publicly
or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands so
as to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
F.
Recommend to the Land Use Board programs and plans for
inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Borough Council,
acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Borough 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 commission easement), covenant or other
contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations
or reservations) as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect,
limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces
and other lands and water areas in the Borough.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and
shall make an annual report of its activities to the Borough Council. Such
annual report shall be made each year on or about the anniversary date of
the adoption of this chapter.
The Borough Council may appropriate funds for 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.
