[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Union 5-13-1975 by Ord. No. 2984A (Ch. 51 of the 2004 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created for the Township of Union, in the County of Union, an Environmental Commission, as the same is authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Chairman of the Township Committee, with the advice and consent of the members thereof, one of whom shall be a member of the Planning Board, and all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Union, with the exception of the Township Engineer, who shall be a member of the Commission.
[Amended 6-27-2001 by Ord. No. 4682]
B. 
Said members shall serve without compensation, except as hereinafter provided. The Chairman of the Township Committee shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Commission. The terms of office of the Commission first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be for one, two or three years, as the same may be designated by the Chairman of the Township Committee in making said appointments, and the successors thereof shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The first members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:
(1) 
Two members for a term expiring December 31, 1975.
(2) 
Two members for a term expiring December 31, 1976.
(3) 
Three members for a term expiring December 31, 1977.
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 is an original appointment.
The Chairman of the Township Committee, or the Township Committee, may remove any member of the Commission for cause on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
The Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall 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, and may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board of the municipality[1] plans and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Planning Board was created 1-22-1975 in accordance with the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. See Ch. 170, Land Development.
Said Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the governing body of said Township. Said Commission is authorized to adopt bylaws governing its operations.