[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Raritan 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 00-27 as Ch. 2.108 of the 2000 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is established a Municipal Agriculture Advisory Committee for the purpose of identifying project areas of multiple farms that are reasonably contiguous and located in an agriculture development area authorized pursuant to the Agriculture Retention and Development Act, P.L. 1983, c. 32 (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-11 et seq.).
B. 
The Municipal Agriculture Advisory Committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the municipal governing body. The Committee members shall be residents of the municipality, with a majority of the members actively engaged in farming and owning a portion of the land they farm.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
C. 
Annually thereafter, appointments of members shall be made at the annual reorganization of the municipality. Vacancies in the membership of the Committee shall be promptly filled by the Township Committee for the unexpired term thereof. Members shall serve for their respective terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The Municipal Agriculture Advisory Committee shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
A. 
To compile and update an inventory of farms within the Township.
B. 
To give advice for the planning and implementation of a farmland preservation plan element pursuant to Paragraph (13) of Section 19 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28), as amended by A-1869.
C. 
To compile and submit to the Township Committee an annual report and recommendations by the first of December of each year.
D. 
To elect from among its members a Chair, who in addition to the traditional functions associated with such position shall ensure that minutes of the meeting are maintained in accordance with the Township policy.