[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
East Whiteland 8-18-1992 by Ord. No. 96-92. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Planning Commission and Park and Recreation Board — See Ch. 10.
Pursuant to the powers granted by 53 Pa.C.S.A § 2322 et seq.,
there is hereby created the East Whiteland Environmental Advisory Council,
which shall continue until this chapter is revoked.
A.
The said Council:
(1)
Shall consist of three to seven members who must be residents
of East Whiteland Township.
(2)
Shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
(3)
Shall be appointed for a term of three years, except
that the terms of the members first appointed shall be for one year, two years,
and three years respectively. Members numbering four to seven shall be appointed
in the same manner. Annually thereafter, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint
a member or members to the said Council for a term of three years.
B.
A vacancy on the said Council shall be filled by the
Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term.
C.
The said Council shall have the right to make recommendations
for appointees to the Board of Supervisors, unfulfilled terms or full terms.
The members of said Council shall serve without compensation, but they
may be reimbursed for expenses necessary to carry out the objectives of the
said Council when those expenses are deemed necessary and appropriate and
approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors may, after a public hearing, remove any member
of the said Council from office for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance
in office and conflict of interest.
The Board of Supervisors shall designate the Chairperson of said Council.
Said Council shall also create and fill such other offices as it deems proper.
The said Council may make and alter its rules of procedure consistent with
the ordinances of the Township and laws of the Commonwealth. The said Council
shall keep records of its meetings and activities, and such records shall
be a public record except when prejudicial to a negotiation and therefore
not in the public interest. A majority of the said Council shall constitute
a quorum, and action taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote
of that majority.
A.
The said Council shall provide advice to the Board of
Supervisors and the other Township boards and commissions, including, but
not limited to, the Planning Commission and the Park and Recreation Board,
and shall coordinate its activities with all appropriate agencies, boards
and commissions.
B.
The said Council shall have the following powers:
(1)
To identify environmental problems.
(2)
To recommend plans and programs for the promotion and
conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement
of the quality of the environment within East Whiteland Township.
(3)
To make recommendations as to the possible use of open
land areas within the East Whiteland Township.
(4)
To promote a community environmental program.
(5)
To keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately
owned, including, but not limited to, flood-prone areas, swamps, and other
unique natural areas within East Whiteland Township for the purpose of obtaining
information on the proper use of such areas.
(6)
To advise the appropriate agencies, boards, commissions
and elected officials of the Township in the acquisition of property, both
real and personal, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or
lease in matters dealing with environmental issues.
(7)
To undertake such environmental tasks as may be requested
by the Board of Supervisors. These tasks may include, but are not limited
to:
(a)
Providing technical expertise on environmental aspects
of subdivisions and land developments generally and providing environmental
advice on specific projects or properties upon request of the Board of Supervisors
or the Planning Commission.
(b)
Recommending plans and programs, including proposed ordinances
or amendments to the ordinances of the Township, for the promotion and conservation
of the natural resources of the Township and for the protection and improvement
of the quality of the environment within the Township.
(c)
Exploring sources of funding, including, but not limited
to, gifts and grants. Said Council shall consult with the Township Solicitor
regarding the legal implications connected with receiving funding from sources
other than the Township.
C.
Said Council shall not exercise any powers or perform
any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a Commonwealth agency.
Said Council shall make an annual report to the Board of Supervisors
and the Planning Commission. Copies of said reports shall be maintained in
the office of the Township.
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate from the general Township funds
such funds as may be necessary and available for the work of the Environmental
Advisory Council in the year for which the appropriation is made. Such appropriations
may be expended for administrative, clerical, printing and legal services.
