[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Alexandria 12-11-1970 by Ord. No. 70-6; amended in its entirety 3-12-1997. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Amended 6-14-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
Pursuant to the authorization vested in the
Township Committee of the Township of Alexandria under and by virtue
of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., there is hereby established a conservation
commission to be known as the "Alexandria Township Environmental Commission."
The Commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven
members to be appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a member
of the Municipal Land Use Board and all of whom shall be residents
of the municipality; the members of which Commission shall serve without
compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate
one of the members to serve as Chair 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 or her appointment so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the
members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed
for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors. The governing body of the municipality 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.
A.
There shall be two alternate members to the Environmental
Commission, appointed by the Mayor, both of whom shall be residents
of the municipality. Alternate members shall serve without compensation.
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. A vacancy occurring
otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor
for the unexpired term only.
B.
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act
on any matter in which he or she has either directly or indirectly
any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after
public hearing if he or she requests one, be removed by the governing
body for cause.
C.
An alternate member may participate in discussions
of 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 a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
[Amended 6-14-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
Within the limits of appropriations made available
to it, the Environmental Commission shall have 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, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute
books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it
deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all open
areas, publicly 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 Land Use
Board or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body of the municipality,
plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal master plan and the
development and use of such areas. It shall also have such other powers
and duties as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Township
Committee.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-6, the Environmental
Commission shall have 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.
The Environmental Commission shall, subject
to the approval of the governing body, negotiate for the acquisition
of and acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the
municipality 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 or 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 governing body of the municipality.
The governing body of the Township of Alexandria
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 appropriate to it.
