[Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Neptune City 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-18. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission in the Borough of Neptune City for the protection, development and use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the Borough, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
A. 
The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Environmental Commission, which shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be residents of the Borough, and one of whom shall also be a member of the Borough Land Use Board.
B. 
The terms of office for the members shall be for one, two, or three years, to be designated by the Mayor at the time of appointment, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years with the terms approximately 1/3 of the members expiring annually.
C. 
The Mayor, in addition to the regular members of the Environmental Commission, shall appoint two alternate members who shall be designated at the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(1) 
The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be for two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filed by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
(2) 
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he/she has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing, if requested by the alternate member, be removed by the Mayor for cause.
(3) 
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 so 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.
D. 
The Mayor shall annually designate one of the members to serve as Chairperson and presiding officer of the Environmental Commission within the first seven days of the year.
E. 
All members and alternate members shall serve without compensation.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
A. 
Promoting the conservation and development of the natural resources of the Borough of Neptune City.
B. 
Planning, implementing and informing the public about local conservation programs.
C. 
Conducting research into the possible use of the open areas of the Borough.
The Mayor may remove any member of the Environmental 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.