Township of Bethlehem, NJ Chapter 34 Open Space Advisory Committee

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Bethlehem 2-21-2002 by Ord. No. 149-3-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Agricultural Development Committee — See Ch. 4.

Environmental Commission — See Ch. 16.

§ 34-1 Preamble.

The Township Committee approved the creation of an Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition and preservation of open space within the Township. The Municipal Planning Board adopted an Open Space Plan as part of the Bethlehem Township Master Plan. An Open Space Advisory Committee would be of substantial help to the Township to carry out the intents and purposes of an open space plan and Open Space Trust Fund.

§ 34-2 Establishment of Committee.

There is hereby established an Open Space Advisory Committee that shall consist of three members whose terms and powers are set forth in this chapter.

§ 34-3 Membership.

The Open Space Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Township Committee and shall be comprised of three members of the Environmental Commission.

§ 34-4 Term of office.

The following terms of office shall apply: The term for all Committee members in § 34-3 shall have terms that correspond with the terms of their respective appointed offices.

§ 34-5 Powers and functions of Open Space Advisory Committee.

A. The Open Space Advisory Committee shall review, update and submit to the Township Committee annually or on a more frequent basis, an open space advisory plan of the Township of Bethlehem.

B. The Open Space Advisory Committee shall prepare and revise on an annual or more frequent schedule a prioritized list of properties it recommends that the Township acquire, and properties for which it recommends that permanent easements or development rights be acquired.

C. Together with the Municipal Planning Board, Environmental Commission and the Agricultural Advisory Board, the Open Space Advisory Committee will recommend to the Township Committee properties, acquisitions, easements or development rights that should be acquired.

D. The Open Space Advisory Committee shall continue to update the Township inventory of open space land on the geographic information system (GIS) to include information that will assist in the monitoring of the open space program.

E. The Open Space Advisory Committee may maintain an educational program to inform the citizens of Bethlehem Township of the merits and economic benefits and importance of the open space program and its status.

§ 34-6 Public meetings.

The Open Space Advisory Committee shall hold public meetings, which public meetings shall be held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, and the Committee shall give appropriate notification of these meetings.

§ 34-7 Officers.

The Open Space Advisory Committee shall select from its members a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman to serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the Chairman, and a Secretary whose function shall be to maintain minutes of the Committee's meeting and records of the proceedings of the Committee.

§ 34-8 Review.

In the event that no property, easement or development rights are acquired under this chapter for a period of five consecutive years, then the Township Committee shall review the activities of the Open Space Advisory Committee and issue a report with recommendations and conclusions concerning the Open Space Trust Fund.