[Adopted by Ord. No. 2000-12 (Sec. 2-15 of the 1972 Revised General Ordinances)]
The Township of Fredon Environmental Commission is hereby created
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2004-12]
The Commission shall consist of seven members and two alternate
members being designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2,"
appointed by the Mayor. One of the members shall also be a member
of the Municipal Land Use Board, and all members shall be residents
of the municipality. All the members shall serve without compensation.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2004-12]
A.
The
Mayor shall designate annually one of the members to serve as Chair
and presiding officer of the Commission. No person may be chair for
consecutive years. The term of office of the first Commissioners shall
be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making
the initial 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 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 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall
expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration
of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired
term only.
B.
The
Mayor or governing body may remove any member of the Commission for
cause and written charges served upon the member and after a hearing
thereon at which the member will be entitled to be heard in person
or by counsel.
C.
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 Environmental 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, within the limits of its budget.
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 Land Use Board of the municipality plans
and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development
and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the governing body, acquire property or an interest therein, 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 conversation
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 shall make an annual report to the governing body
of the municipality.
The governing body of a municipality may appropriate funds for
the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. If permitted
by such appropriation, 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.
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 and protection
of flora and fauna.
