[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Bellmawr 3-28-1985 by Ord. No. 1:1-85. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
There is hereby established an Environmental Commission in the
Borough of Bellmawr, for the protection, development and use of natural
resources, including water resources, located within the territorial
limits of this Borough.
[Amended 2-27-1986 by Ord. No. 1:1-86]
An Environmental Commission shall be established in the Borough
of Bellmawr, which shall consist of seven members who are residents
of the Borough of Bellmawr, to be appointed by the Mayor and Council,
at least one of whom shall be a member of the Planning Board of the
Borough of Bellmawr.
A.
The terms of office of the Commission shall be as follows: three
of the Commissioners shall be appointed for three-year terms, two
of the Commissioners shall be appointed for two-year terms, and two
of the Commissioners shall be appointed for one-year terms. The Mayor
and Council shall designate the term of each Commissioner appointed
when making the appointments for the first time. Successors shall
be appointed for three years or until the appointment and qualification
of their respective successors.
[Amended 2-27-1986 by Ord. No. 1:1-86]
B.
All officers of the Commission will be elected by the Commissioners
themselves.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring other than by expiration
of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as an original appointment.
An Environmental Commission organized under this chapter shall
have power to conduct research into the 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 or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body
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, 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
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 or water areas in the municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and shall make quarterly reports to the governing body
of the municipality.
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.
