[HISTORY:[1] Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Saddle River 1-16-2023 by Ord. No. 23-1047. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 21, Environmental Commission, adopted 7-8-1974 as Secs. 2-62 through 2-69 of the 1974 Code, as amended, was repealed 6-13-2022 by Ord. No. 22-1038.
There is created and established an Environmental Commission, to be known as the "Environmental Commission of the Borough of Saddle River," for the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Borough pursuant to the terms and provisions of Chapter 245 of the Laws of New Jersey 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 through 40:56A-5), as amended. All prior appointments to any prior Environmental Commission are declared null and void and membership in the Commission shall be filled as provided herein.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council. All of the members shall be citizens and residents of the Borough. One of the members shall be a member of the Planning Board. The remaining six members shall be citizens of the Borough who shall hold no other elective or appointive office in the Borough.
B. 
All of the members shall serve without compensation.
C. 
The Commissioners shall be appointed for terms of three years and until a successor has been duly appointed and has qualified.
D. 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
E. 
The Borough Council may provide for the appointment of alternate members of the Environmental Commission in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall at all times be subject to the general authority of, and shall serve in an advisory role to, the Mayor and Council.
B. 
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties with the consent and approval of the Mayor and Council:
(1) 
To promote the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the Borough.
(2) 
To conduct research into the present use and possible use of open land areas of the Borough.
(3) 
To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
(4) 
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which are deemed necessary or appropriate for its purposes within the limits of funds appropriated to the Environmental Commission.
(5) 
To compile and keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, including open marshland, swamps and other wetlands; to obtain information on the proper use of such areas; and to recommend to the Planning Board, from time to time, plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Borough for development and use of such areas.
(6) 
To do such other acts and things as may be referred to it by the Mayor and Council to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Environmental Commission, including, without limitation, the hiring and payment of such clerks and other employees as it may, from time to time, require.
(7) 
To propose rules and regulations for the use of property acquired for conservation purposes.
(8) 
Upon the direction of the Mayor and Council, 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, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.
A. 
Subject to the prior approval of the Planning Board and the Mayor and Council, the Environmental Commission may, from time to time, acquire property, both real and personal, or interests in property, in the name of the Borough, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease, for any of the purposes of the Environmental Commission and shall administer and manage the same for such purposes, subject to the terms of such conveyance or gift.
B. 
The interest so acquired by the Environmental Commission may be 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.
The Environmental Commission shall keep minutes and records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Mayor and Council.
A. 
The Mayor of the Borough shall designate one of the members of the Environmental Commission to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission, with the advice and consent of the Council.
B. 
The Commission shall be authorized to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operations.
C. 
A meeting of the Commission shall be held at least once in every three months.
The Mayor and Council may remove any member of the Environmental Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon. The member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
A. 
Each year, the Commission shall develop an operating budget for the ensuing calendar year and present it to the Council on or before November 1. The budget shall give the details of the moneys considered necessary to carry out the environmental program adopted by the Commission and shall show the amount of moneys allocated for the various required services.
B. 
The Council shall have the right to approve the budget in whole or in part or to fix an amount which the Council deems adequate and proper for the purpose of the Environmental Commission and shall appropriate the sum for such purpose.
C. 
The Commission shall have the right to conduct its affairs, policies and programs and to expend moneys each year within the amount appropriated by the Council for such purpose. At no time shall the Commission expend more than the sum so appropriated.