[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Chester 9-3-1974 by Ord. No. 9:1-74. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Environmental Officer — See Ch. 41, § 41-5F.
Pursuant to L. 1968 c. 245 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), there
is hereby established in and for the Township of Chester an Environmental
Commission, to be known as the "Chester Township Environmental Commission."
[Amended 12-15-1975 by Ord. No. 9:1A-75; 2-5-1991 by Ord. No.
9:1B-91]
A.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven regular members
and two alternate members, all of whom shall be residents of the township.
(1)
Regular members. Each regular member shall be appointed by the Mayor
for a term of three years. Any vacancies occurring otherwise than
by the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment by the
Mayor for the unexpired term.
(2)
Alternate members.
(a)
Each alternate member shall be appointed by the Mayor for a
term of two years, provided that the terms of the first alternate
members appointed in January 1991 shall be as follows:
(b)
The term of not more than one alternate member shall expire
in any one year.
(c)
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by the expiration of a term
shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor for the unexpired term.
(d)
An alternate member may participate in Commission discussions,
but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
B.
Chairperson. Each year at the organization meeting of the Township
Council, the Mayor shall designate one of the regular members to serve
as Chairperson of the Environmental Commission.
The Environmental 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 marsh lands, swamps
and other wetlands, in order to obtain information of the proper use
of such areas, and may, from time to time, recommend to the Chester
Township Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Township
Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental 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 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 shall make an annual report to the Township Council.
