[Adopted 1-1-1981 by Ord. No. 80-23-780 as Ch. 10 of the 1981 Code]
There is hereby established an Environmental
Commission for the Borough of Cresskill, which shall function for
the protection, development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the Borough's territorial limits.
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members who
shall be appointed by the Mayor, one of which members shall also be
a member of the Planning Board,[1] and all such members shall be residents of the Borough.
[Amended 3-2-1982 by Ord. No. 82-1-814]
B.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve
as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Commission.
All members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation.
The term of office for the first Commissioners
shall be for one, two or three years, as shall be designated by the
Mayor in making his appointments, so that the terms of approximately
1/3 of the members will expire each year. Their successors shall be
appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification
of their successors.
The governing body 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.
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.
[Added 10-2-2002 by Ord. No. 02-12-1254]
A.
The governing body may, by ordinance, provide for
the appointment of not more than two alternate members appointed by
the Mayor. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment
by the authority appointing them as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate
No. 2."
B.
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 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 filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired
term only.
C.
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act
on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal
or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing
if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
D.
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.
The Environmental Commission shall have power
to conduct research into the use or 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 index 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 Borough's
Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
A.
The Environmental
Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, 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; or 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.
B.
The Environmental
Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire
funds through fundraising activities on its own behalf or in partnership
with other approved organization(s).
[Added 2-2-2011 by Ord. No. 11-1-1403]
The Environmental Commission shall keep records
of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to
the governing body of the Borough.
The Mayor and Council of the Borough may appropriate
funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. The
Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from
time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated
to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have power
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.
