[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Kingwood 6-9-1972 by Ord. No. 3-6-72. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 9-22-1972; 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
The Township of Kingwood Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.). Kingwood Township relies on the Environmental Commission to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the quality of our air, water, soil, and other natural resources. This commitment is essential to protect the wells, septic systems, and other private infrastructure that each of us depends on for our well-being. Kingwood Township relies on its Environmental Commission to educate and empower our residents, fostering the capacity for both individual and collective actions that directly impact our environment and the health of our community.
[Amended 9-22-1972; 4-17-1995 by Ord. No. 9-2-95; 7-1-2013 by Ord. No. 17-16-2013; 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Kingwood; the members shall serve without compensation, except as hereinafter provided. The Environmental Commission shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman 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 appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. Appointed members may serve more than one term. The first members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:
(1) 
Two members for the term expiring June 30, 1973.
(2) 
Two members for the term expiring June 30, 1974.
(3) 
Three members for the term expiring June 30, 1975.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Currently the terms of members expire on December 31.
B. 
Alternate members.
(1) 
The Mayor shall also appoint to the Commission two alternate members who shall be designated by the Mayor as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." An alternate member may participate in discussions of the Commission but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of the Commission. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.
(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.
C. 
The Mayor or Township Committee 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.
D. 
The Mayor shall designate a member of the Township Committee to serve as a liaison to the Environmental Commission. Such designee may attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the Commission but shall not have the right to vote on matters before the Commission and shall not be considered for purposes of establishing a quorum.
[Amended 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
The Commission is established to oversee the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township of Kingwood. The Commission shall provide guidance on matters related to natural resources such as surface water, groundwater/aquifers, and wetlands, to other Township committees and boards when needed. It has the power to conduct research and to provide recommendations into the use of the open land areas of the Township. The Commission may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets that, in its judgment, are deemed 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 when needed may recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Amended 9-22-1972]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township, 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 Township.
[Amended 9-22-1972; 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and post Committee-approved minutes on the Kingwood Township website. An annual report shall be submitted to the Township Committee.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require, provided that the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township Committee.
[Added 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
All Kingwood Township governmental bodies shall coordinate with and engage the assistance of the Environmental Commission in making any decision under the purview of the Environmental Commission. This shall include the Kingwood Township Parks and Recreation Committee, the Open Space and Agricultural Advisory Committees, the Board of Health, and the Green Team, as well as other Township bodies, when making decisions within the purview of the Environmental Commission.
[Added 8-1-2024 by Ord. No. 9-2024]
Kingwood Township shall provide all site plans and/or subdivision applications to the Environmental Commission for their input into all environmental matters. As necessary and fitting, the Environmental Commission shall make written recommendations regarding environmental matters on such applications to Kingwood Township.