[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 9-2-1969]
The Environmental Commission of the Township of Readington is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-5).
[Amended 5-5-2003 by Ord. No. 5-2003; 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 06-2020]
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board, one of whom may also be a tree expert licensed by the State of New Jersey or an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, ISA and all of whom shall be residents of Readington Township. The members shall serve without compensation except as 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 or her 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 two of the members will expire each year.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 06-2020]
A. 
The Commission is established for the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna located within the territorial limits of the Township of Readington. The Commission shall have 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 and for the development and use of such areas.
B. 
The Environmental Commission shall also have the authority to receive, review and make recommendations and inspections in connection with applications for tree removal or planting permits as may be provided for elsewhere in the Township Code. In conjunction therewith, the Commission may form subcommittees of its members to assist in accomplishing such recommendations and inspections.
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 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 Township of Readington.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 06-2020]
The Environmental Commission shall conduct its meeting in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-7 et seq), keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 06-2020]
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. In the event there is no licensed tree expert or certified arborist serving on the Commission, then the Commission or Township Committee shall hire one to consult with in order to perform the duties set forth in § 18-3B, above.
[Adopted 2-7-2000 by Ord. No. 3-2000]
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1, et seq., two alternate members shall be appointed to the Readington Township Environmental Commission.
The alternate members shall be citizens of the Township of Readington, appointed by majority vote of the Readington Township Committee. The alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the Township Committee as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed 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 member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which the alternate member has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest.
An alternate member may, after public hearing if the alternate member requests one, be removed from office by the Township Committee for cause.
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings of the Readington Township Environmental Commission, 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 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.