[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Colts
Neck 7-26-1973 (Ch. 20 of the 1969 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Colts Neck Environmental Commission is hereby established in accordance
with N.J.S.A 40:56 A-1 et seq., Chapter 35 of the Laws of 1972.
A.
A Commission shall consist of seven regular members appointed
by the Mayor, all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Colts Neck
and shall serve without compensation, one of whom shall also be a member of
the Planning Board. The Mayor shall designate one of the regular members to
serve as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
B.
The terms of office of two of the Commissioners, to be
designated by the Mayor, shall expire on the 31st day of December 1973. The
terms of office of two other Commissioners, to be designated by the Mayor,
shall expire on the 31st day of December 1975. The terms of office of three
Commissioners, to be designated by the Mayor, shall expire on the 31st day
of December 1976. Each succeeding Commissioner appointed to the Environmental
Commission shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment
and qualification of their successors.
C.
The Mayor or Township Committee may remove any regular
members 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 a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same
manner as an original appointment. In the event that the Commissioner who
also serves on the Planning Board ceases to be a member of the Planning Board
for any reason, then his or her term on the Environmental Commission shall
be considered vacated, and the Mayor shall appoint another member of the Planning
Board to serve for the unexpired term.
The Colts Neck Environmental Commission shall have the power to:
A.
Conduct research into environmental matters affecting
the orderly development of Colts Neck, including open space preservation,
water resources management, air pollution control, noise control, radiation
control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection
of flora and fauna.
B.
Make recommendations to the Planning Board concerning plans and programs for inclusion in the Colts Neck Master Plan and Ch. 102, Development Regulations.
C.
Make recommendations as appropriate to the Board of Health.
D.
Maintain an index of all open lands and a set of aerial
photographs of Colts Neck for reference purposes.
E.
Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its
purposes.
F.
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for ecological, environmental or similar purposes.
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 conditions
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 and limit the future use of or otherwise conserve and properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township of Colts
Neck.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to implement its own
programs, provided that appropriations are within the limit of funds appropriated
to it by the Township Committee and that all applicable state statutes are
complied with.
