There is hereby created and established an Environmental
Commission for the protection, development or use of natural resources,
including water resources, located within the territorial limits of
the Borough of Madison pursuant to provisions of Chapter 245 of the
Laws of 1968 of the State of New Jersey.
The Environmental Commission shall have the
following duties: to
A. Study and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council
in areas of conservation and environmental protection, which shall
include but not be limited to pollution control of all types; waste
disposal, including sewage, garbage and solid waste; open space preservation,
with emphasis on outdoor recreation needs, aesthetic flora and fauna
preservation and beautification; and water resources.
B. Plan local conservation programs and inform the public
about those programs.
C. Prepare, print and distribute informational materials,
such as books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment
it deems necessary for its purposes, within the limits of funds appropriated
to the Commission.
D. Keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately
owned, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
E. Recommend, from time to time, to the Planning Board,
plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Borough
of Madison for development and use of such areas.
F. Operate conservation programs on lands donated or
purchased for conservation purposes by the Borough of Madison.
G. Do such other acts and things as are reasonably related
to and assigned to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Commission.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the Borough Council, acquire property, both real and
personal, in the name of the Borough of Madison, 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 Borough of Madison.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other
employees as it may require, provided that such appointments shall
be within the limits of funds appropriated for such purposes by the
Borough Council.
The Council, in its discretion, may annually
fix, determine and appropriate sums sufficient for the care, custody,
leasing and maintenance of such land acquired for these uses and purposes
herein stated, if necessary, and for the expenses of the said Commission.