[Adopted by Ord. No. 5/73; amended in its entirety by Ord. No. 22-05 (Ch. 2, Sec. 2-24, of the 1978 Revised General Ordinances)]
There is hereby created and established an Environmental Commission
for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented.
A.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members, appointed
by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a Class II member of the Township
Planning Board, and all of whom shall be residents of the Township.
B.
The members shall serve without compensation.
C.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman
and presiding officer of the Commission.
D.
The terms of the first Commission shall be as follows: three members
shall be appointed for one year, two members shall be appointed for
two years, and two members shall be appointed for three years. Their
successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the
appointment and qualification of their successors.
E.
The Mayor or Municipal Council may remove any member of the Commission
for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing
thereon by the Municipal Council, at which the member shall be entitled
to be heard in person or by counsel.
F.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration
of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as an original appointment.
The Environmental Commission shall have the following powers
and duties, which shall be exercised within the limits of funds appropriated
to the Commission:
A.
To study and to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council 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.
B.
To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land
areas of the Township and to coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies of the Township organized for similar purposes.
C.
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts,
plans and pamphlets.
D.
To 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. The Commission
may recommend to the Planning Board of the Township plans and programs
for inclusion in the Township Master Plan and for the development
and use of such areas.
E.
To operate conservation programs on lands donated or purchased for
conservation purposes by the Township.
F.
To do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and
designated to carry out the purposes and objectives of this Commission
and which it is authorized to do by law.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the Township Council, acquire property, both real and personal, in
the name of the Township 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 or otherwise conserve and properly utilize
open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as
it may require, but only within the limits of funds appropriated for
such purposes by the Township Council.
A.
Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held at the call of the
Chairman, or, in his absence or disability, at the call of the Vice
Chairman.
B.
At all meetings a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members
of the Commission.
C.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report to the Mayor and Council of the Township
on or before the 15th day of December in each and every year.
Council, in its discretion, may annually fix, determine and
appropriate sums sufficient for the care, custody, leasing and maintenance
of such land acquired for these uses and purposes herein stated if
necessary and for the expenses of the Commission.
