[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Alloway 9-12-1996 by Ord. No. 309. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Township of Alloway Environmental Commission is hereby established
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A.
The
Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, one
of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom
shall be residents of the Township of Alloway. The members shall serve
without compensation, except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall
designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer
of the Commission. 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, and their successors shall be appointed
for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors. The first members of the Commission shall be
appointed for the following terms:
B.
The
Mayor or governing body may remove any member of the Commission for
cause or written charges served upon the member and after the hearing
thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person
or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than
expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the
same manner as an original appointment.
C.
A
member or alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter
in which he has either directly or indirectly any financial interest.
D.
Alternate
members. The Mayor may appoint not more than two alternate members,
to be designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
E.
The
terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that
the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two years
for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2. A vacancy occurring
otherwise than by expiration of the term shall be filled by the appointing
authority for the unexpired term only. An alternate member may, after
public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body
for cause.
F.
An
alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings
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.
The Commission is established for the protection, development
or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within
the territorial limits of the Township of Alloway. The Commission
shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use
of the open land areas of the municipality 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 marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order
to obtain information on the proper use of such areas and may from
time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for
inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the
name of the municipality 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 municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the governing body.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and
incur such expenses as it may from time to time require, provided
that the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to
it by the governing body and approved in advance by the governing
body.
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to study and
make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources
management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control,
soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources
and protection of flora and fauna.
An informational copy of every application to the Planning Board
and Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be provided to the Environmental
Commission for review and comment to the appropriate Board.
The chapter shall take effect January 1, 1997.
