[Ord. No. 86-2]
There is hereby created in the Township of Scotch Plains, a commission of the Township to be known and designated as the "Environmental Commission," established pursuant to Chapter 245 Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40: 50A et seq.) as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972.
[Ord. No. 86-2]
The environmental commission is established for the purposes of the promotion of conservation and the protection and development and/or use of the natural resources within the Township of Scotch Plains, including water resources. In addition, the environmental commission shall have 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 and protection of flora and fauna.
[Ord. No. 86-2]
a. 
The environmental commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use and preservation of open land areas of the Township.
b. 
The environmental commission shall prepare, keep and maintain an index of all open areas, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marsh lands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
c. 
The environmental commission may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Township master plan and may recommend to the Planning Board and Township council programs for the use of open areas, marsh lands and other wetlands in the Township.
[Ord. No. 86-2]
The environmental commission may, subject to the approval of the Township council, acquire in the name of the Township real or personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease, for purposes as set forth in section 20-2. Upon acquisition of any real or personal property as provided for herein, the environmental commission shall administer said property in furtherance of the purposes of this ordinance, subject to the terms, if any, of any conveyance or gift by which said property was received. The property interest acquired pursuant to this section may be a fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement, including a conservation easement, covenant or other contractual right, including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or revisions, as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and/or properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
[Ord. No. 86-2]
The commission shall keep records of its meeting and activities and shall make an annual report on or before the first day of December of each year and submit the same to the Township council, which reports shall be comprehensive and detailed covering operations, receipts, disbursements, and expenditures for the full year.
[Ord. No. 86-2]
The Township council may appropriate funds for the expenses of the environmental commission. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of the funds appropriated by the Township council for the operation of the environmental commission .
[Ord. No. 86-2]
The environmental commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members, who shall be appointed by the Mayor of Scotch Plains one of whom shall be a member of the Planning Board. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman or presiding officer of the commission. The terms of office of the first members appointed shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making the appointments, so that the terms of approximately one-third of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years, and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The Township council may remove any member of the commission for cause on written charges served upon the member, and after hearing thereon, at which hearing the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment .