[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Hampton
4-28-1970. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created in the Township of Hampton a commission to be
known as the "Hampton Township Conservation Commission," in accordance with
Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
Said Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor.
One member of said Commission shall be a member of the Hampton Planning Board,
and all members shall be residents of Hampton.
The members of said Conservation Commission shall serve without compensation
but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties.
Of the original appointees, the terms of two members shall be for one
year, the terms of two members shall be for two years and the term of one
member shall be for three years. Upon expiration of the terms of the original
appointees, successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and shall
serve until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
The Mayor and Township Committee of Hampton Township 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 term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as an original appointment.
The Hampton Township Conservation Commission shall have and enjoy the
following powers and duties:
A.
To conduct research into the use and possible use of
the open land areas of the township.
B.
To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for the purpose of promoting the conservation and development of natural resources.
C.
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its
purposes.
D.
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 from time
to time recommend to the Hampton Township Planning Board plans and programs
for inclusion in the Hampton Township Master Plan for the development and
use of such areas.
E.
Said Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township
Committee, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township
of Hampton, 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 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
or properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the township.
F.
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.
G.
Said Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.
H.
Generally, to do all things necessary to promote the
conservation and development of the township's natural resources, to provide
the impetus and take leadership in natural resources planning and to inform
the public about local conservation programs and the need for conserving the
natural resources of the township.
The Hampton Township Conservation Commission shall organize annually
by the selection of one of its members as Chairman, one as Vice Chairman and
one as Secretary. Such officers shall perform the duties usually associated
with such offices.
Meetings of the Conservation Commission shall be held at monthly intervals
on such dates as it shall determine, and at the call of the Chairman.
