[Adopted 9-14-1976 (Ch. 25 of the 1966 Code)]
[Amended 10-23-2012 by Ord. No. 12-14]
The Borough of Raritan Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-5), as amended.
[Amended 8-8-1978; 10-23-2012 by Ord. No. 12-14]
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of Raritan. The members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission. The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
B. 
The Mayor or Borough Council 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 otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
C. 
There shall be two alternate members appointed by the Mayor, who shall be residents of the Borough of Raritan. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment 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 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. An alternate member may participate in discussions at 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. Procedures concerning filling vacancies and removal from office shall be the same as for regular members.
[Added 5-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-05]
The Environmental Commission shall have power to study and make recommendations concerning space preservation, water resource management, air and water pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection and environmental appearance. The Commission shall also have all powers to which it is entitled under N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2, which is incorporated by reference herein.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval by 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 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 Borough.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Borough Council.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require, provided that the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Borough Council.