The Township of Bloomfield hereby establishes the Bloomfield Environmental Commission pursuant to Chapter
245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-12), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972; Chapter
334, P.L. 1975; Chapter 168, P.L. 1989.
The Commission shall have the power to study, research, and
make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resource
management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control,
soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources,
energy use and conservation, transportation, and protection of flora
and fauna located within territorial limits of the Township of Bloomfield.
The Commission shall collaborate with other 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 marshland, 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 Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township
Council, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of
Bloomfield 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
Township Council shall request the Open Space Trust Committee provide
a nonbinding opinion regarding any proposed acquisition before taking
action.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and make an annual report to the Township Council.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and
incur such expenses as it may from time to time require, providing
the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by
the Township Council or otherwise available to it.