[Ord. No. 19-1994]
An Environmental Commission shall be established as provided in this article.
[1991 Code § 13-1]
The Borough of Hightstown Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A, as amended by P.L. 1972, c. 35.
[1991 Code § 13-2; Ord. No. 2003-23]
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, subject to consent of the Council, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Borough. The members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The members shall designate one of their members to serve as Chairperson and presiding officer of the Commission. The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
B. 
There shall be two alternate members appointed by the Mayor, subject to consent of the Council, designated as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the terms of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
C. 
The Mayor and Council may remove any member of the Commission for being absent for four consecutive meetings, unless a valid excuse has been submitted. 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.
[1991 Code § 13-3]
The Commission is established for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Borough of Hightstown. The Commission shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Borough 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 inventory 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 plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[1991 Code § 13-4]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Borough 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 of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Borough.
[1991 Code § 13-5]
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Mayor and Council.
[1991 Code § 13-6]
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require, provided that the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Mayor and Council.