[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of East
Amwell 6-5-1970; amended 2-23-1989 by Ord. No. 89-01. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., an Environmental Commission for
the purpose of protection development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township of
East Amwell is hereby established.
[Amended 5-10-1990 by Ord.
No. 90-07]
A.
The Environmental Commission established by this chapter
shall consist of seven members, appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall
be a member of the Township Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents
of the township. The terms of such members shall be for three years and until
the appointment and qualification of their successors.
B.
There shall also be two alternate members of the Commission,
also appointed by the Mayor. Alternate members shall be designated at the
time of their appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The
terms of 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 the discussions of the Commission, 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. An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any
matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial
interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one,
be removed by the governing body for cause.[1]
The Environmental Commission organized shall have power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the township, 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
Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Township Master Plan
and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the majority
of the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal, in the
name of the municipality by gift, purchase or as otherwise specified in N.J.S.A.
40:56A-3. Such acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest
to include easements, development rights, or other contractual rights.
The Township Committee may appropriate funds for the anticipated expenses
of the Environmental Commission. Any purchase of property, any employment
of employees, and any other functions of the Environmental Commission shall
be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township Committee
and/or within the limit of funds acquired by the Commission through gifts,
donation or otherwise. All acquisitions of property and other expenditures
shall be within the limits of funds currently on hand, and under no circumstance
will the Township Committee or the people of East Amwell Township be held
liable or responsible for any purchase made or any other expenses incurred
beyond the amount appropriated to said Environmental Commission by the Township
Committee.
The Environmental Commission shall in all instances adhere to the provisions
in Title 40, Chapter 56A of the New Jersey Statutes.
An Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report to the governing body of the municipality.
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.
