[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Hillsborough 9-12-1972
by Ord. No. 72-7 (Ch. 15 of the 1977 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Amended 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
[Amended 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
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 Hillsborough. The Commission
shall also consist of two alternate members who shall be appointed by the
Mayor and designated as “Alternate No. 1" and “Alternate No. 2.”
[Amended 11-9-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-46]
B.
The members shall serve without compensation except as
hereinafter provided.
C.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve
as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
D.
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 so that the terms of not more than two members shall expire in
one year. Subsequent terms shall be for a period of three years, provided
that Commissioners shall hold office until the appointment and qualification
of their successors. The terms of the two alternate members shall be for two
years, except that the term 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.
[Amended 12-27-1977 by Ord.
No. 77-21; 11-9-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-46]
E.
Alternate members 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 that a choice must be made as to which
alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
[Amended 11-9-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-46]
[Amended 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
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;
such causes shall include inactivity by a Commission member or such member's
inability to fulfill his or her duties, responsibilities and/or function.
[Amended 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
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. Such vacancies shall be filled after the Mayor has conferred
with the Environmental Commission to obtain its recommendations and evaluations
of potential appointees, based upon the candidate's qualifications and interests
in overseeing environmental matters of the community.
A.
Purpose. The Commission is established for the protection,
development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located
within the territorial limits of the Township of Hillsborough.
B.
Powers and duties.
(1)
The Commission shall have power to conduct research into
the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township 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.
(2)
The Commission 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 Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
(3)
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.[1]
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
(4)
The Commission shall act as coordinating agency of the
community on all matters pertaining to the environment and act as liaison
between local conservation needs and regional, state and federal agencies
ministering to these needs.
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
(5)
The Commission's activities shall be devoted to planning,
implementing and informing the public about local environmental programs.
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
(6)
The Commission shall be able to sponsor the implementation
of land control ordinances with concomitant requirements for environmental
impact statements and shall be further able to develop sound criteria for
the assessment of land use proposals through on-site reviews.[2]
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
(7)
The Commission shall make every effort to coordinate
its activities with the Planning Board relevant to land use proposals which
come before the municipality.
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
(8)
The Environmental Commission shall also act in an advisory
capacity to other branches of the local government, such as the Recreation
Commission.
[Added 3-11-1975 by Ord.
No. 75-1]
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 or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces
and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may
from time to time require, provided the same shall be within the limits of
funds appropriated to it by the Township Committee.
