Pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of New Jersey
for the year 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), there is hereby established
in and for the Borough of Chatham an Environmental Commission, to
be known as the "Borough of Chatham Environmental Commission."
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 9-93]
A. The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven
members to be appointed by the Mayor. One member shall also be a member
of the Borough Planning Board and all members shall be residents of
the Borough of Chatham. The terms of the appointments of the Commission
members shall be for three years beginning the first day of January
of the first year of the term. Appointments shall be made so that
approximately 1/3 of the appointments to the Commission shall expire
each year. Members of said Commission shall serve without compensation.
[Amended 6-12-2017 by Ord. No. 17-06]
B. The Mayor may also appoint, with the advice and consent
of the Council, two alternate members who shall be residents, and
they shall be designated as "Alternate 1" and "Alternate 2" at the
time of appointment. The term of each alternate member shall be for
two years computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment.
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings
but not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate
member is to vote, Alternate 1 shall vote.
[Amended 4-25-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
A. The Environmental Commission shall have the 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, protection of flora and fauna and the environmental
impacts of proposed activities in or affecting the Borough. It may
coordinate such activities with unofficial bodies organized for similar
purposes, and, subject to availability of funds, it may advertise,
prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets
which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
B. It shall keep an index of all open areas, public 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 Chatham Borough Planning Board
plans and programs for inclusion in a Master Plan of the Borough and
the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the Borough Council, 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),
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.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records
of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to
the Borough Council.