A Sustainability and Open Space Advisory Committee (SOSAC) is
hereby established in and for the Borough of Kinnelon.
[Amended 6-15-2023 by Ord. No. 09-23]
A. Membership.
(1) The SOSAC shall be comprised of seven regular members and two alternates:
(a)
Seven members from the public;
(b)
Two alternates from the public designated as Alternate No. 1
and Alternate No. 2 who may participate in all matters but may not
vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member.
Alternate No. 1 shall be the first to vote in the place of a regular
member, then Alternate No. 2.
(2) The Mayor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Council,
all members of SOSAC. All members of SOSAC shall be residents of the
Borough of Kinnelon.
B. The terms of the members first appointed shall be as follows:
(1) Two alternates from the public shall be appointed for one-year term;
(2) Two members from the public shall be appointed for one-year term;
(3) Two members from the public shall be appointed for two-year terms;
and
(4) Three members from the public shall be appointed for three-year terms.
(5) Thereafter, the term for each member of the public shall be for a
period of three years.
(6) Any vacancy occurring during the term of any of the members of the
public shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Sustainability and Open Space Advisory Committee is intended
to serve in an advisory capacity to the Borough Council, its officials
and boards, and shall provide information, advice and recommendations
relating to sustainability, environmental and open space issues.
The SOSAC shall have the duties and responsibilities as follows:
A. Study and make reports and recommendations as may be directed by
the Borough Council regarding environmental issues such as land use
and development, solid waste management, toxic materials storage,
air and water pollution, light pollution, noise control, open space
preservation, water resources management, energy conservation and
any other areas that are deemed relevant.
B. Serve as a repository for information relating to the above.
C. Recommend to the Borough Council, subject to funds being available,
the hiring of experts to assist the SOSAC in carrying out its duties.
D. Make recommendations to the Borough Council regarding parcels of
land for acquisition.
E. Make recommendations to the Borough Council regarding the preservation,
management and use of open space.
F. Provide input for the updating of the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
G. Assist the Borough in the development of an open space tracking system
to catalogue the undeveloped or underdeveloped lands in the Borough
and record the progress with respect to open space preservation.
H. Coordinate activities in cooperation with other committees entrusted
with responsibilities related to various SOSAC relevant issues.
I. Submit reports to the Borough Council of various SOSAC activities.
J. Assist the Borough in the evaluation, establishment and implementation
of sustainable and resource management initiatives.
K. Coordinate with the Recreation Committee and Historical Committee
the recreation and historic sites information for the Open Space and
Recreation Plan.
L. Make recommendations to the Planning Board to maintain the Borough's
(1) Environmental resource inventory: the basis for land use planning
that protects natural resources.
(2) Critical habitat conservation and management plan: stewardship and
monitoring of critical habitats in the Highlands Preservation Area
if required by NJDEP.
(3) Open space and recreation plan: a guide for protection and preservation
of open space in Kinnelon.
M. Establish subcommittees and delegate tasks as needed.
N. Periodically review its function and submit a recommendation to the
Borough Council as to whether additional duties should be assigned
or delegated to the Committee.
O. Recommend to the Borough Council grants of interest.
P. Develop a public education program with the goal of promoting sustainability,
environmental and open space preservation in the Borough.
The members of the SOSAC shall receive no salary or other compensation
for their services.