[Adopted 2-9-2006 as Sec. 2-77 of the 2006 Code of the Borough of High Bridge]
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-13]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., an Environmental Commission is hereby established for the protection, development or use of natural resources and wildlife within this Borough, including water resources.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members and two alternates appointed by the Mayor with Council approval, one regular member of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of High Bridge.
[Amended 6-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-13]
B. 
The members thereof shall serve without compensation.
C. 
The term of office of each of the first Commissioners shall be designated by the Mayor and Council in making the appointment, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualifications of their successors. The Commission shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairperson and presiding officers of said Commission.
D. 
The Mayor or Borough Council 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. 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 terms of office of the first Commission appointed shall be for one, two, or three years as appointed by the Mayor, who shall make the appointments so that the terms of two members will expire in each year. Successors to the original Commission shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The terms of office for the first alternate members, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council, shall be one year for Alternate No. 1 and two years for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. Each successive appointment shall be for a term of two years.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall have the 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.
B. 
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 of the proper use of such areas and may, from time to time, recommend to the Planning Board or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body of the municipality planning programs for the inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
C. 
It 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, device 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 environmental 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.
D. 
The Environmental Commission shall have 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, wildlife management and protection of flora and fauna.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-13]
E. 
The Environmental Commission shall be responsible for the preparation and administration of a Shade Tree Plan that governs all shade trees situated on municipally owned lands and rights-of-way. The Commission shall also serve as a consultant to the Borough Council and the High Bridge Planning Board regarding the planting and/or replacement of shade trees in newly developed areas.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body of the municipality. The Secretary shall keep or cause to keep minutes of all meetings of the Committee. The Environmental Commission shall prepare agendas under direction of the Chairperson and shall give notice of regular and special meetings of the Committee. The Environmental Commission shall forward meeting minutes to the Borough Clerk monthly.
The governing body of a municipality may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may 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.