[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Bethlehem 4-2-1998
by Ord. No. 306-98. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created the Bethlehem Township Agricultural Development
Committee whose advisory duties shall be as follows:
A.
Develop and draft, after public hearing(s), for Township
Committee consideration and possible approval, agricultural retention and
development programs which shall have as their principal purpose the long-term
encouragement of the agricultural business climate and the preservation of
agricultural land in Bethlehem Township.
B.
Review and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove
petitions, if specifically authorized by the Township Committee in writing,
for the formation of a municipally approved program or other farmland preservation
programs and monitor the operations thereof.
C.
Review and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove
petitions, if specifically authorized by the Township Committee in writing,
prior to any applications to the State Agricultural Development Committee,
for any request for financial assistance authorized by the Agricultural Retention
and Development Act (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-11) et seq.).
D.
Monitor and make appropriate recommendations to the State
Agricultural Development Committee and to all applicable Hunterdon County
and Bethlehem Township governing bodies and boards with respect to the resolutions,
ordinances, regulations and development approvals which would threaten the
continued viability of agricultural activities and farmland preservation programs
within agricultural development areas.
E.
At the specific written request of Bethlehem Township
Committee, require that any person proposing any nonagricultural development
in an agricultural development area prepare and submit a statement as to the
potential impact the proposed development would have on agricultural activities
in the area.
F.
Develop an educational and information program concerning
farmland preservation techniques and recommended agricultural management practices
to advise and assist the township, its farmers and general public with respect
to these techniques.
G.
Provide assistance to farm operators concerning permit
applications and information regarding the regulatory practice of state government
agencies.
A.
The membership of the Bethlehem Township Agricultural
Development Committee shall be as follows: five voting members, who shall
be appointed by the Township Committee, for terms as follows: of the five
voting members, two shall be initially appointed for a term of two years,
two for terms of three years and one for a term of four years. Thereafter,
all appointments shall be made for terms of four years. Each of these members
shall hold office for the term of the appointment and until a successor shall
have been appointed and qualified. A member shall be eligible for reappointment
for no more than two consecutive terms.
B.
Any vacancy in the membership occurring otherwise than
by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment, but for the unexpired term only.
Members of the Board shall receive no compensation for their service.
The Board, once a quorum has been appointed, shall commence meeting and elect
a Chairman from amongst its members and establish procedures for the conduct
of all meetings, provided that all meetings are conducted in accordance with
the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.). The chairman shall
serve for a term of one year and may be reelected. The Board may also be provided
the services of township professionals to assist the Board at the discretion
of, and expenditure by, the Township Committee. The Board may also receive
state money from the applicable funds under the Agriculture Retention and
Development Act (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-11 et seq.) and use such funds in accordance
with the provisions of the Act.
