[Adopted 2-4-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-2 (Sec. 2-21 of the 2003
Revised General Ordinances)]
The Township Council hereby creates and establishes an Environmental
Commission pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.,
which Commission shall be concerned with the protection, development
and use of the natural resources located in the territorial limits
of the Township.
The Environmental Commission shall be composed of seven persons
appointed by the Mayor, all of whom shall be citizens and residents
of the Township and one of whom shall also be a member of the Township
Planning Board. The Commissioners first appointed shall hold office
for terms as follows: two members for one year; two members for two
years; and three members for three years, respectively, from the date
in the year in which the appointments are made until their successors
are duly appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, all subsequent
appointments shall be for the term of three years, and vacancies shall
be filled for the unexpired term only and in the same manner as the
original appointment was made. Members shall receive no compensation
for their services, but may receive reimbursement for proper and authorized
out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with existing Township regulations.
There shall be two alternate members of the Environmental Commission
appointed by the Mayor, who shall designate the alternate members,
at the time of appointment, as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No.
2." Alternate members shall be citizens and residents of the Township.
The terms of 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 Mayor for the unexpired term only. An alternate member
may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the Township
Council for cause. 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. If a choice must be
made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall
vote first.
A.
The Commission
shall have the following powers:
(1)
The promotion of the conservation and development of the natural
resources of the Township.
(2)
The planning, implementing and informing of the general public with
respect to local conservation programs.
(3)
The responsibility to compile and maintain an index of all open areas,
publicly or privately owned, including marsh, swamps and other wetlands.
(4)
The conduct of all appropriate research into the possible use or
uses of open space in the Township.
(5)
The submission of recommendations to the Planning Board of appropriate
plans and programs for inclusion in the Township Master Plan and for
the general development and use of those areas.
(6)
Preparation of advertisements, books, maps, charts and other appropriate
material necessary to the discharge of its duties within the limits
of funds appropriated to it for that purpose by the Township Council.
(7)
To act as coordinating agency in the community with respect to conservation
matters and as a liaison between local conservation needs and the
regional, state, and federal agencies responsible for administering
to those needs.
B.
The Commission shall act and discharge its duties within the limits
of funds appropriated to it by the Township Council.
The Commission, with the approval of the Township Council, may
from time to time 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, including but not limited to use as
living museum sites for scientific study areas for prehistoric interest
and scenic beauty and habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals,
and shall administer the same for those 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
conveyance or 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 Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report on or before the first day of February
and submit the report to the Township Council, which report shall
be comprehensive and detailed, covering operations, receipts, disbursements
and expenditures for the full year.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman
and presiding officer of the Commission. The Commission is authorized
to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
The Mayor or the Township 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.
