The governing body of the Township seeks and desires that the
land use controls imposed by municipal ordinance and any other regulation
be applied with the greatest justice and accuracy; and to apply these
controls fairly and accurately so that the resources and environmental
quality of the Township are not damaged and yet the rights of property
owners are not unduly restricted it is necessary that certain information
be compiled.
The Township does by this section establish an Environmental
Commission for the protection, development and use of natural resources
including water resources located within the territorial limits of
the Township of Weymouth. The Commission shall have the following
attributes and powers:
A. The Commission shall consist of five members each of whom shall be
appointed by the Mayor. One of these appointees shall be a member
of the Township planning board. All members of this Commission shall
be persons who have their primary residence in the Township of Weymouth.
B. All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
C. At the time of initial appointment the Mayor shall appoint one member
for one year, two members for two years and two members for three
years, and all appointments thereafter shall be for a three-year term.
D. The Environmental Commission for the Township shall have the 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 within the Township, or without
as the case may be; may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books,
maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment deems necessary
for its own purposes.
E. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned,
including open marsh lands, 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 that, in
the opinion of the Environmental Commission should be included in
the municipal master plan.
F. The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body of
the municipality at the regularly scheduled meeting in March of each
calendar year.
G. 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, marine resources
and protection of flora and fauna.
[Amended 6-19-1996 by Ord. No. 344-96]
H. The Environmental Commission is organized pursuant to P.L. 1968,
c. 245, set forth in Title 40 of the Revised Statutes as "An Act Authorizing
Municipalities to Establish Environmental Commissions and Supplementing
Title 40 of the Revised Statutes," and found more precisely in N.J.S.A.
40:56A-1 et seq. The Township Environmental Commission shall have
full powers as set forth in this statute.
[Amended 6-19-1996 by Ord. No. 344-96]
[Added 2-21-2007 by Ord. No. 455-2007]
A. The Mayor shall also appoint two alternate members who shall have
their primary residence in the Township of Weymouth. Alternate members
shall be designated by the Mayor at the time of appointment as "Alternate
No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
B. Terms of alternate members appointed hereto shall be two years, except
for the initial appointment, for which Alternate No. 1 shall serve
a term of two years and Alternate No. 2 shall serve a term of one
year. If a vacancy occurs other than at the expiration of a term,
the vacancy shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
C. Alternate members may participate in discussion of the proceeding,
but may not vote on any recommendations to be issued by the Commission,
except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of the
Commission. In the event that a choice must be made to which alternate
member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.