[Adopted 8-29-1974 by Ord. No. 676 (Ch. 18 of the 1990 Code)]
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission for the protection, development or use of the natural resources located within the territorial limits of the Township, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2 et seq., Chapter 35 of the laws of New Jersey, 1972.
A. 
The Township Council shall appoint the members of the Environmental Commission which shall consist of seven persons, citizens and residents of the Township, one of who shall also be a member of the Municipal Planning Board. Of the citizen Commissioners first appointed, three members shall be appointed for a term of three years, and three members shall be appointed for a term of two years, respectfully from the date in the year in which such appointments are made and until their successors are duly appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a term of three years. The term of the Commissioner who is also a member of the Municipal Planning Board shall run concurrently with his/her term on the Planning Board. In the event of a vacancy on the Environmental Commission occurring during an unexpired term of office, a person shall be appointed as a member of said body to serve for such unexpired term. The members shall receive no compensation for their services.
[Amended 4-24-1975 by Ord. No. 728]
B. 
There shall also be appointed to the Environmental Commission two alternate members who shall be designated by the Township Council as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." Each alternate shall serve in rotation during the absences or disqualification of any regular member or members. After the initial appointments, the term of each alternate member shall be two years. The initial appointment of the Alternate No. 1 member of the Environmental Commission shall be for a term expiring December 31, 1998, and Alternate No. 2 shall be for a term expiring December 31, 1999.
[Added 4-8-1998 by Ord. No. 2070]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 13-37, Removal of Commissioner, was repealed 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 3656. See now Ch. 13, Art. XXII.
The Director of Community Development shall assign staff as necessary to provide support to said Commission.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
A. 
Promote conservation and development of the natural resources of the Township.
B. 
Plan, implement and inform the public about local conservation programs.
C. 
Compile and keep an index of all open area, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands.
D. 
Conduct research into the possible use of the open areas of the Township.
E. 
Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
F. 
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
G. 
Subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the municipality 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 municipality.
[Added 6-12-1990 by Ord. No. 1579]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 13-40, Absenteeism policy, added 9-10-1996 by Ord. No. 1976, as amended, was repealed 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 3656. See now Ch. 13, Art. XXII.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report on or before the first day of April and submit the same to the Council of the Township, which report shall be comprehensive and detailed covering operations, receipts, disbursements and expenditures for the full year.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission. The Commission is authorized to adopt laws governing its procedural operation.
The Council of the Township may annually fix, determine and appropriate a sum sufficient for the expenses of the Commission which shall be raised by taxation in the same manner as other taxes.