There is hereby established an Environmental Commission in the Township
of Elk for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the territorial limits of this Township.
The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be as follows:
Two of the Commissioners shall be appointed for three-year terms, two of the
Commissioners for two-year terms and one of the Commissioners for a one-year
term. The Mayor shall designate the term of each Commissioner appointed in
making his appointments for the first time. Successors shall be appointed
for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their
respective successors.
The Township Committee may remove any member of the Commission for cause,
on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which
the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring other than by expiration of a
term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original
appointment.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township
Committee, 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.
The Township Committee 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.