[Added 3-20-2000 by Ord. No. 6-00]
There is hereby established in the Township
of Washington an Agricultural Advisory Committee.
A.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall consist
of at least three but not more than five members, appointed by the
Township Committee, all of whom shall be residents of the Township
with a majority of the members actively engaged in farming and owning
a portion of the land that they farm, all of whom shall serve without
pay.
B.
The terms of the members first appointed shall be
as follows: one-third of the appointees for a year term to end December
31, 2000; one-third of the appointees for a term to end December 31,
2001, and one-third of the appointees for a term to end December 31,
2002, provided that in the case of a five member Committee, only one
appointee shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2002.
Thereafter, all appointments shall be effective on January 1 of the
year of appointment and shall be for terms of three years, and vacancies
shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members shall serve until
the appointment and qualification of their successors.
A.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall annually
select from its members a Chairperson, who shall ensure that minutes
of each meeting are properly kept, and such other officers as it may
deem necessary. The Agricultural Advisory Committee may establish
rules of order and shall meet at least quarterly and from time to
time as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
B.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall report to
the Township of Washington Planning Board.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall have
the following powers and responsibilities:
A.
To identify project areas of multiple farms that are
reasonably contiguous and located in an agriculture development area
authorized pursuant to the Agriculture Retention and Development Act,
P.L. 1983, c. 32 (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-11, et seq.) and to compile and submit
to the Township of Washington Planning Board an annual report and
recommendation by December 1 of each calendar year or more often as
may be required by the Planning Board.
B.
To compile and maintain and inventory of agricultural
lands within the Township.
C.
To render advice and assistance to the Township of
Washington Planning Board with regard to preparation of a farmland
preservation plan element pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law specifically,
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28b(13).
