[Adopted by Ord. No. 93-5]
There is hereby created in the Township of Knowlton a commission
to be known as the "Knowlton Township Environmental Commission," in
accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., Chapter
245 of the Public Laws of 1968.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members
to be appointed by the Mayor. One member of the Environmental Commission
shall be a member of the Knowlton Township Municipal Planning Board.
Two alternate members shall be appointed to the Environmental Commission
to be selected by the Mayor. Alternate members shall be designated
at the time of their appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate
No. 2." Alternate members shall be appointed for a term of two years,
except that in the initial appointments Alternate No. 1 shall be appointed
for two years and Alternate No. 2 shall be appointed for one year.
The Mayor of the Township of Knowlton shall designate one of the members
to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Environmental Commission.
All members of the Environmental Commission shall be residents of
the Township of Knowlton.
The members of the Environmental Commission of the Township
of Knowlton shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled
to such reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties.
Of the original appointments to the Knowlton Township Environmental
Commission, the terms of three members, initially appointed, shall
be for a term of one year, the terms of two members, initially appointed,
shall be for a term of two years and the terms of two members, initially
appointed, shall be for a term of three years. Upon the expiration
of the terms of the original appointees, successors shall be appointed
for a term of three years and shall serve until the appointment and
qualification of their successors.
The Mayor and Township Committee may remove any member of the
Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and
after a hearing thereof, at which the member shall be entitled to
be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring
otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as an appointment.
The Township Environmental Commission shall have and enjoy those
duties prescribed to it pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2 and 40:55A-3,
as well as the following powers and duties:
A.Â
The Commission shall conduct research into the uses and possible
uses of open land areas of the Township.
B.Â
The Commission shall coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies
organized for the purpose of promoting the conservation and development
of natural resources.
C.Â
The Commission shall advertise, prepare, print and distribute books,
maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment and subject
to its approval by the Township Committee, it deems necessary for
its purpose.
D.Â
It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or private owned,
including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to
obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and recommend
to the Township Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in
the municipal Master Plan for the development and use of such areas.
E.Â
The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Committee,
acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township
by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or ease for any of its 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 and environmental easement), covenants,
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 or
properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the
Township.
F.Â
The Township Committee shall appropriate funds for the expenses incurred
by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks
and other employees as it may require and as shall be within the limits
of funds appropriated to it.
G.Â
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.
H.Â
Generally, the Commission shall have the power to do all things necessary
to promote the conservation and development of the Township's natural
resources planning, and to inform the public about local conservation
programs and the need for conserving the natural resources of the
Township.
The Township Environmental Commission shall organize annually
and shall select one member as Vice Chairman and one as Secretary.
Such officers shall perform the duties usually associated with such
offices.
Meetings of the Environmental Commission shall be held at regular
intervals on such dates as it shall determine and at the call of the
Chairman.
