[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
An advisory council to be known as the “Smithfield Township Environmental Advisory Council” is hereby established for Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and shall continue to function until this Part is revoked.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
The purpose of the Environmental Advisory Council shall be to advise local governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the Park and Recreation Board on matters dealing with the protection, conservation, management, promotion, acquisition and use of natural resources including air, land, water and open space resources located within or affecting Smithfield Township.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
1. 
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of seven residents of Smithfield Township who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
2. 
The Board of Supervisors shall fill all vacancies.
3. 
One member shall also be a member of the Township Planning Commission and one member shall also be a member of the Board of Supervisors.
4. 
Members shall be from as many different regions of Smithfield Township as possible and represent various interests of the Township.
5. 
The Board of Supervisors may appoint additional nonvoting members of the Environmental Advisory Council, to be known as associate members, for such terms as the Board of Supervisors shall designate, and such subcommittee as may be desired.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
1. 
Council members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
A. 
Duly appointed Council members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year.
B. 
Council members’ terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.
C. 
Prior to the expiration of the term of appointment of the Planning Commission representative, the Planning Commission, shall provide the Board of Supervisors, in writing, with a recommendation for one of their members to be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Board of Supervisors shall make the final determination as to the membership of the Environmental Advisory Council.
D. 
Members may resign at any time with written notice to the Board of Supervisors.
E. 
Members may be removed by the Board of Supervisors, with or without the recommendation of a majority of the other members, for malfeasance or neglect in the performance of their duties. Failure to attend either three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings or four regularly scheduled meetings during a twelve-month period shall constitute neglect. The Chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Council may excuse absentees for good cause.
F. 
The Board of Supervisors shall appoint successors to members who resign or are removed to serve for the remaining term of the member or members.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, provided that the expenses have the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
1. 
The Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory to and shall coordinate its activities with the elected officials, Planning Commission, Historical Commission, and other such local governmental agencies.
2. 
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
Identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the Board of Supervisors for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the Township.
B. 
Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas within the Township.
C. 
Promote a community environmental program.
D. 
Keep an index of all open space and environmentally sensitive areas, publicly or privately owned including, but not limited to, flood-prone areas, swamps, and other unique natural areas for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
E. 
Advise the Board of Supervisors and other agencies as to the acquisition of property, both real and personal, and rights thereto, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, device or lease in matters consistent with the purpose of the Council.
F. 
Perform any other duties assigned to it by the Board of Supervisors but not to exercise any powers or perform any duties that by law are conferred or imposed upon a State agency.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
1. 
The Chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Council shall be appointed annually by the Board of Supervisors. The Council may select its own Vice Chairperson and Secretary.
2. 
The Council shall meet at least monthly and at other times, as directed by the Board of Supervisors. Said meetings shall be advertised and open to the public.
3. 
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report that shall be printed in the annual municipal report or otherwise made known and available to the public. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to the governing body.
[Ord. 179, 9/12/2006]
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Council in accordance with an annual budget. Appropriations may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing and legal services as may from time to time be required and approved by the Board of Supervisors and shall be within the limits of the annual budget. The whole or any part of any funds so appropriated in any year may, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year or be expended in any year.