[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Alexandria 12-11-1970 by Ord. No. 70-6; amended in its entirety 3-12-1997. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land use — See Ch. 115.
Land Use Board — See Ch. 115, Art. XI.
[Amended 6-14-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
Pursuant to the authorization vested in the Township Committee of the Township of Alexandria under and by virtue of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., there is hereby established a conservation commission to be known as the "Alexandria Township Environmental Commission." The Commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members to be appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a member of the Municipal Land Use Board and all of whom shall be residents of the municipality; the members of which Commission shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chair 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 appointment so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The governing body of the municipality 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 a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
A. 
There shall be two alternate members to the Environmental Commission, appointed by the Mayor, both of whom shall be residents of the municipality. Alternate members shall serve without compensation. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment 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 Mayor for the unexpired term only.
B. 
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he or she requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
C. 
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 a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
[Amended 6-14-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
Within the limits of appropriations made available to it, the Environmental Commission shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the municipality 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 Land Use Board or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body of the municipality, plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal master plan and the development and use of such areas. It shall also have such other powers and duties as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Township Committee.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-6, the Environmental Commission shall have 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 and protection of flora and fauna.
The Environmental Commission shall, subject to the approval of the governing body, negotiate for the acquisition of and acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the municipality 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 or 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 municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body of the municipality.
The governing body of the Township of Alexandria may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriate to it.