[Adopted 12-14-2004 by Ord. No. 3513]
A Township of Franklin Trails Advisory Committee is hereby established to involve trail users and Township residents in advising Township departments, the Township Manager and Township Council on issues related to trail acquisition, design, maintenance and use.
A. 
The Township of Franklin Trails Advisory Committee is advisory to the Mayor, Township Manager and Township Council and makes recommendations to promote, protect and assist in development of enjoyable, safe, convenient trail opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians throughout the Township of Franklin planning area.
B. 
Duties of the Trails Advisory Committee include:
(1) 
Identifying current and future trail interests and needs of the community;
(2) 
Identifying trail opportunities and options during development review and analyzing alternatives for maximum potential benefit;
(3) 
Making recommendations to the Township Council on trail policies and design issues;
(4) 
Making recommendations on acquisition and development of trail facilities and trail use;
(5) 
Conducting trail surveys for maintenance and safety recommendations;
(6) 
Reviewing and commenting on public and private development actions to promote trail interest; and
(7) 
Other related duties.
C. 
The Committee shall maintain regular communications with the Township Manager and Council to share information and pursue joint interests. The Committee shall report annually to the Township Council on accomplishments and issues for the future.
[Amended 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 3682]
The Township of Franklin Trails Committee shall be composed of nine members appointed by the Township Council and confirmed by the vote of a majority of the members of Council. At least one member shall be appointed from the Open Space Advisory Committee.
[Amended 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 3682]
The regular term of office for Committee positions shall be for four years. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed and confirmed. Terms shall commence on January 1. Initial terms shall be staggered with two members appointed for two years, two members appointed for three years and three members appointed for four years. The two additional members shall be appointed so that one term ends December 31, 2007, and one term ends December 31, 2010.
Committee members shall be appointed upon the basis of demonstrated interest in, knowledge of, and support for trails for recreation and transportation purposes. Members shall serve without salary or other compensation. Prior to appointing initial members and filling each vacancy in the membership of the Committee, public notice of available positions shall be provided to the news media at least two weeks in advance of appointment. Applicants for vacant positions shall apply to the Township Manager. Consideration should be given to appointments that result in a broad geographic and demographic representation of interested and knowledgeable people. Appointments should also strive to reflect the diverse trail use interests of the community, such as walking, jogging, skating, bicycling and horseback riding.
The Committee shall adopt procedural rules governing the transaction of its business. The rules shall include provision of the date, time and place of regular meetings of the Committee. Provisions shall be made for maintaining minutes of Committee meetings and records of all Committee reports, conclusions and recommendations. The Rules of Procedure shall provide for election of Committee officers, which shall include a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson who shall serve for at least one year. The Rules of Procedure shall provide that all Committee meetings shall be open to the public and that notice of meetings shall comply with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.). The procedures shall address receipt and processing of citizen proposals and requests.