There is established in the Township a Commission
to be known as the "Stillwater Township Environmental Commission"
in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Amended 1-20-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-1]
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the
Mayor. One member shall be a member of the Municipal Planning Board.
The terms of office of the Commissioners shall be staggered for one-,
two- or three-year terms to be designated by the Mayor in making his
appointments so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members
shall expire each year. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed
for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors. There shall also be two alternate members whose
terms shall be two years, except that the terms of the alternates
first appointed shall be two years for Alternate Number 1 and one
year for Alternate Number 2. An alternate member may participate in
the discussion of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence
of 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 Number 1 shall vote first. All members and alternate
members shall be residents of the Township of Stillwater.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The members of the Environmental Commission
shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed
for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
The Mayor and 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. Failure to attend
three successive regular meetings, whether through illness, disability
or otherwise, shall be prima facie cause for removal. A vacancy on
the Commission occurring other than by expiration of term shall be
filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
The Commission shall have and enjoy the following
powers and duties:
A. To conduct research into the use and possible use
of the open land areas in the Township.
B. To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies
organized for the purpose of promoting the conservation and development
of natural resources.
C. To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books,
maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems
necessary for its purposes.
D. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly
or privately owned, including open marsh lands, swamps and other wet
lands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas,
and from time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs
for inclusion in the Municipal Master Plan for the development and
use of such areas.
E. Appoint such clerks and other employees as it may
from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds
appropriated to it.
F. The Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities, and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.
G. Generally, the Commission shall have the power to
do all things necessary to promote the conservation and development
of the Township's natural resources, to provide the impetus and take
leadership in natural resources planning, and to inform the public
about local conservation programs and the need for conserving the
natural resources of the Township.
The 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 or properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Environmental Commission shall organize
annually by the selection of one of its members as Chairman, one as
Vice Chairman and one as Secretary. Such officers shall perform the
duties usually associated with such offices.
Meetings of the Environmental Commission shall
be held at regular intervals on such dates as it determines, and at
the call of the Chairman.