[Added 3-2-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-06]
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor,
one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of
whom shall be residents of the municipality; the members shall serve
without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall
designate one of the members to serve as Chair and presiding officer
of the Commission.
B.
The terms of the office of the first Commissioners shall be for one,
two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making their
appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of
three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
The first members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following
terms:
C.
The Mayor or 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. A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than
expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the
same manner as an original appointment.
D.
Alternate members.
(1)
The Township Council may appoint not more than two alternate members,
to be designated "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(2)
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. A vacancy
occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by
the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.
(3)
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in
which they have either directly or indirectly any personal or financial
interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if they request
one, be removed by the Council for cause.
(4)
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. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 5-132, which regarded the Commission's 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 the protection of flora and fauna, of the 2008, Code was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). See now § 5-128.
