[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
An advisory council, to be known as the "Newtown Township Environmental
Advisory Council," is hereby created and shall continue to function
until this Part is repealed.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I; as amended by
Ord. 2007-O-4, 3/14/2007, § I]
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of not
less than five nor more than seven residents of Newtown Township who
shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council (henceforth "Council")
shall serve for a term of three years except that the initial appointments
shall be so staggered that approximately 1/3 of the membership shall
expire each year, and the terms of their successors shall be three
years each. For the initial appointments, one term shall expire on
December 31, 2005, two terms shall expire on December 31, 2006, and
two terms shall expire on December 31, 2007. Members may resign at
any time with notice to the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
The Board of Supervisors shall make all appointments to the
Environmental Advisory Council. Members of the Environmental Advisory
Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. The
Board of Supervisors may remove a member with or without a recommendation
of the other members for malfeasance or neglect in the performance
of their duties. Failure to attend either three consecutive regularly
scheduled meetings or five regularly scheduled meetings during a twelve-month
period shall constitute neglect.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their
services but they may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily
incurred by them in the performance of their duties as permitted by
law, provided that the expenses have the prior approval of the Board
of Supervisors. Members shall be subject to Township's ethics policy.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
1.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following specific
powers:
A.
To identify
environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the Board
of Supervisors for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources
and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment
within Newtown Township, consistent with the Township Comprehensive
Plan.
B.
At the request of the Board of Supervisors, to make recommendations
as to the possible use of open land areas within Newtown Township.
C.
To develop community environmental education awareness programs for
Township residents.
D.
To work with schools and environmental groups such as the Council
Rock School District, Bucks County Audubon Society and the Pennsylvania
Environmental Advisory Council, in enhancing community environmental
education programs.
E.
To maintain an index of all open space and environmentally sensitive
areas, publicly or privately owned including, but not limited to,
flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas.
F.
To consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Advisory Councils in
neighboring municipalities and any other appropriate County, State
and Federal agencies and non-governmental organizations on environmental
issues affecting Newtown Township.
G.
To perform any other duties assigned to it by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
The Council shall select its own Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson
and Secretary annually.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
The Council shall meet at least monthly and at other times as
directed by the Board of Supervisors. Said meetings shall be advertised
and open to the public.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum. An affirmative
vote of a majority of the entire Council at a public meeting is necessary
in order to transact any business.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
The Council shall keep written minutes of its meetings and records
of its activities and shall make an annual report to the Board of
Supervisors, which shall be made available to the public. Minutes
of each meeting shall be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2004-O-15, 7/28/2004, § I]
The board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses
incurred by the Council in accordance with an annual budget. Appropriations
may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing, engineering,
planning and legal services as may from time to time be required and
approved by the Board of Supervisors and shall be within the limits
of the annual budge.
