[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Independence 8-13-1979
(Ch. 20 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-01]
The Township of Independence Environmental Commission is hereby established
pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), as
amended.
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed
by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board[1] and all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Independence;
the members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and Presiding
Officer of the Commission.
[Amended 12-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-11]
B.
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. The first
members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:
C.
The current provisions of Subsection A have the effect of increasing the membership of the Commission from five to seven members. Therefore, on September 30, 1984, in addition to the appointment or reappointment of two members to serve for terms of three years, one new member shall be appointed to serve for a term expiring on September 30, 1985, and one new member shall be appointed to serve for a term expiring on September 30, 1986.
[Added 12-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-11]
D.
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.
The Commission is established for the protection, development or use
of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial
limits of the Township of Independence. 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. 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[1] plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development
and use of such areas.
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.
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.
