Township of West Amwell, NJ Environmental Commission

The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board, and all of whom shall be residents of West Amwell Township. The members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one of such members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission. The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two, or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his appointments, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The first members of the Commission shall be appointed so that the terms of at least two of the members will expire each year. Members are expected to attend regular meetings and participate in Commission activities. Any member who misses three consecutive meetings and/or activities, or who misses a total of five meetings and/or activities in a calendar year may be replaced by the Township Committee upon the recommendation of the Commission Chair.

[Amended 2-1-2006 by Ord. No. 01-2006; 5-16-2007 by Ord. No. 12-2007]

Alternate members of the Environmental Commission.

(1)

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 there be and is hereby created the positions of alternate members of the Environmental Commission of the Township of West Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. There shall be no more that two alternate members who shall be designated at the time of their appointment as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The term of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that of the first two alternate members appointed, the term shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate shall expire in any one year.

[Added 4-14-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]

(2)

An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.

[Added 5-18-2005 by Ord. No. 09-2005]

(3)

An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.

[Added 5-18-2005 by Ord. No. 09-2005]

§ 16-3 Purpose and powers of Commission.

The Commission is established for the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township of West Amwell. The Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes. 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 may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan when adopted and for the development and use of such areas.

§ 16-4 Acquisition of property.

The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township 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 lessor 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 Township of West Amwell.

§ 16-5 Records and reports.

The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.

§ 16-6 Appointment of additional employees.

The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may, from time to time, require, provided that the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township Committee.