There is hereby established, pursuant to N.J.A.C.
2:76-17.4, an advisory committee to be known as the "Municipal Agriculture
Advisory Committee" (hereinafter called the "Advisory Committee").
The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least three
but not more than five persons appointed by the Mayor with the consent
of the Township Committee to serve one year terms commencing on January
1 of the year of their appointment.
Members shall be appointed annually to serve on the
Advisory Committee for as long as the Mayor determines that there
continues to be a need for an Advisory Committee.
A majority of the members of the Advisory Committee
shall be actively engaged in farming in Holland Township and shall
own a portion of the land they farm. Should a vacancy occur before
the end of a term, a new member shall be appointed in the same manner
as set forth herein to fill the balance of the unexpired term. The
required composition of the Advisory Committee shall be maintained
through such appointment.
The Mayor shall also appoint a member of the Planning
Board to act as liaison to the Advisory Committee. The liaison shall
be permitted to participate in all discussions of the Advisory Committee
and shall keep the Planning Board and Township Committee advised of
the recommendations of the Advisory Committee but shall not be a voting
member of the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee shall establish an annual schedule
of meetings but may also meet as needed at the call of the Chairman,
or at the call of any two members of the Advisory Committee.
Notice of Advisory Committee meetings shall be given
in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, and at or prior to
such time, notice of each meeting shall also be given to all Advisory
Committee members and to the liaison.
The Advisory Committee shall report to the Planning
Board, and its budgetary requirements for consultants, supplies and
services shall be met from the Planning Board's budget.
The Advisory Committee shall make recommendations
to the Planning Board concerning the need to prepare or amend the
Farmland Preservation Plan Element of the Master Plan; shall gather
data concerning farm ownership, farming activity and farming characteristics
within Holland Township; shall promote community awareness of the
significance of farming in Holland Township; shall communicate with
Holland Township's farmers concerning available resources and opportunities
for participation in the state's and County's development easement
purchase programs; shall serve as alternate liaisons from Holland
Township to the Hunterdon County Agriculture Development Board; shall
share primary responsibility for the preparation of the Planning Incentive
Grant application to be submitted by Holland Township to the State
Agriculture Development Committee or to the Hunterdon County Agriculture
Development Board; and shall engage in such other activities as may
be needed to foster the development of farming and promote the preservation
of agricultural land in Holland Township or as may be requested of
it by the Planning Board.
The Advisory Committee shall have no authority itself
to enter into any contracts; to hire, engage or discharge employees,
consultants or independent contractors; or to make any budgetary commitments.
The Board is not established as an independent body politic and shall
have no power to sue or be sued. Any monies collected by the Board
shall be transmitted to the Township Treasurer.