[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
(now Township Council) of the Township of Greenwich 5-3-1971.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: The title of this Commission
was changed 10-4-1976 from "Conservation Commission" to "Environmental
Commission" pursuant to Section 8 of Chapter 35 of the Laws of 1972
(amends N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), which provided that Conservation
Commissions established prior to the amendment would now be known
as "Environmental Commissions."
An Environmental Commission is hereby established
for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township
of Greenwich.
[Amended 3-15-2021 by Ord. No. 3-2021]
The committee shall consist of not less than five nor more than
seven members, who shall all be appointed by the Mayor. One member
shall also be a member of the municipal Planning Board. The Mayor
shall designate one member of the Commission to serve as Chairperson
and one member to serve as Secretary. The members of said Environmental
Commission shall receive no compensation for their services except
that the Secretary shall receive the compensation provided in the
annual Salary Ordinance of the Township.[1]
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 approximately 1/3
of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be
appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors.
The Mayor or governing body may remove any member
of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member
and after a hearing thereon, at which hearing the member shall be
entitled to be heard either 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 established under this chapter
shall have the following powers to:
A.
Conduct research into the use and possible use of
the open land areas of the Township.
B.
Conduct research into the proper use of the water
resources within the territorial limits of the Township, the preservation
of such resources and the elimination of pollution and improper drainage.
C.
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for similar purposes.
D.
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets necessary for the above purposes.
E.
Maintain and keep an index of all open areas, publicly
or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands,
so as to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
F.
Recommend to the Planning Board programs and plans
for inclusion in the Master Plan and recommend the development and
use of such areas.
The Commission may, subject to the approval
of the Township Council, 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 reservations) as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve,
protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly
utilize open spaces and other lands and water areas in the Township.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and shall make an annual report of its activities to
the Township Council. Such annual report shall be made each year on
or about the anniversary date of the adoption of this chapter.
The expenses incurred by the Commission shall
be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township Council.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may
require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to
it.
