[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Evesham 9-5-1978 by Ord. No. 28-9-78. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Clean Communities Awareness and Recycling in Evesham Advisory Committee — See Ch. 5.
Clean Community Code — See Ch. 97.
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq. (Chapter 245 of the Public Laws of 1968), as amended, there is hereby created a commission which shall be known as the "Evesham Environmental Commission."
The Evesham Environmental Commission hereby created is a municipal environmental commission as contemplated and provided for by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended, and shall have and exercise all of the powers and perform all of the duties provided for by said statute and any other statutes heretofore enacted and applicable thereto.
[Added 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 25-6-2021]
The Environmental Commission's responsibilities as contemplated by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-6 shall further include power to study and make recommendations concerning arboriculture within the Township, including:
A. 
Responsibility for developing and/or updating annually a Shade Tree Master Plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs along the streets, in parks and in other public places.
(1) 
Such plan shall be delivered annually to the Township Council as part of its budget presentation and, upon its acceptance and approval, shall constitute the official Shade Tree Master Plan for Evesham Township.
(2) 
The Shade Tree Master Plan shall include:
(a) 
The spacing of trees.
(b) 
Distance from curb and sidewalk.
(c) 
Distance from street commons and fireplugs and sewer line.
(d) 
Caliper.
(e) 
Specifications.
(f) 
Species of trees.
(g) 
Current deficiencies and replacement program.
(3) 
Upon the authorization of the Township Manager and subject to appropriations by the Township Council, the Environmental Commission may enlist the assistance of an arborist, the Township Planner or other Township professionals and staff in preparing recommendations for a Shade Master Plan.
B. 
Reviewing and recommending to the Township Manager, at his or her request, that actions consistent with the Shade Tree Master Plan be taken on individual resident's requests for tree removals or tree trimming or tree planting, as pertaining to trees along streets, parks and other public places.
(1) 
Upon such referral, the Environmental Commission shall be authorized to confer with an arborist, the Township Planner or other Township professionals or staff when reviewing of a resident's request for consistency with the Shade Tree Master Plan.
(2) 
The Environmental Commission's consultation with any such Township professional shall be coordinated by the Environmental Commission Chair.
(3) 
The Chair of the Environmental Commission shall further confer with the Township Manager to confirm any costs related to such engagement or advice are authorized.
C. 
The Environmental Commission shall also make recommendations to the Township Manager or Township Council as appropriate to encourage arboriculture.
[Amended 9-4-1979 by Ord. No. 32-9-79; 4-3-1985 by Ord. No. 15-4-85; 9-9-1997 by Ord. No. 23-9-97]
The Evesham Environmental Commission is hereby composed of seven members and two alternate members, to be appointed by the Mayor of the Township of Evesham, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1, one of which members shall also be a member of the Evesham Township Planning Board and all of which shall be residents of the Township of Evesham. All members shall serve without compensation, and the Mayor shall designate one of the members of said body as the Chairperson thereof. The Mayor or Township Council of the Township of Evesham 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 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1). A vacancy on the Commission occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
[Amended 9-4-1979 by Ord. No. 32-9-79; 9-9-1997 by Ord. No. 23-9-97]
The first three members appointed to said body shall be for terms of three years from the date of appointment. The next two members appointed shall be for terms of two years from the date of appointment. The next two members appointed to said body shall be for terms of one year from the date of appointment. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. In the case of the alternate members, one alternate member shall be appointed for a term of one year and the other alternate member shall be appointed for a term of two years. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of two years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.