[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Chatham 4-14-1969 by Ord. No. 1-67 (69) [Ch. 11 of the 1975 Code]; amended 5-12-1975 by Ord. No. 5-75. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land development — See Ch. 165.
Pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of New Jersey for the year 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), there is hereby established in and for the Borough of Chatham an Environmental Commission, to be known as the "Borough of Chatham Environmental Commission."
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 9-93]
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Mayor. One member shall also be a member of the Borough Planning Board and all members shall be residents of the Borough of Chatham. The terms of the appointments of the Commission members shall be for three years beginning the first day of January of the first year of the term. Appointments shall be made so that approximately 1/3 of the appointments to the Commission shall expire each year. Members of said Commission shall serve without compensation.
[Amended 6-12-2017 by Ord. No. 17-06]
B. 
The Mayor may also appoint, with the advice and consent of the Council, two alternate members who shall be residents, and they shall be designated as "Alternate 1" and "Alternate 2" at the time of appointment. The term of each alternate member shall be for two years computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate 1 shall vote.
[Amended 4-25-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
A. 
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, protection of flora and fauna and the environmental impacts of proposed activities in or affecting the Borough. It may coordinate such activities with unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and, subject to availability of funds, it may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
B. 
It shall keep an index of all open areas, public or privately owned, including open marshlands, 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 Chatham Borough Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Master Plan of the Borough and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental 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 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 shall make an annual report to the Borough Council.