[Derived from Sec. 2-13 of the 1975 Code]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2, there is hereby established an Environmental Commission for the protection, development and use of natural resources, located within the Borough. The Commission shall be known as the "Environmental Commission of the Borough."
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and Council, who shall be Borough residents. One of the members shall be a member of the Planning Board, one of the members shall be a member of the Shade Tree Commission, and one of the members shall be a member of the Borough Council. The remaining four members shall be Borough citizens who shall hold no other elective or appointive office in the Borough. All of the members shall serve without compensation.
(1) 
The terms of the members shall commence on January 1st and shall be for a term of three years, provided that the terms of Commissioners first appointed pursuant hereto shall be as follows:
(a) 
Three members shall be appointed for one year.
(b) 
Two public members shall be appointed for two years.
(c) 
Two public members shall be appointed for three years.
(2) 
Thereafter the successor of each public member shall be appointed for the full term of three years and until the appointment and qualification of his successor. Those members who hold other Borough office shall be reappointed annually.
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by an expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. The Mayor and Council may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after hearing thereon at which the members shall be entitled to be heard in person or by Counsel.
A. 
The Commission shall elect a Chairman and Secretary from among its citizen membership.
B. 
The Commission shall determine its own rules of internal procedure and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
C. 
The Commission shall meet at least four times each year and shall also meet at such times as may be requested by the Council or the Mayor.
D. 
The Commission shall provide written reports to the Mayor and Council on all activities undertaken. This report shall be submitted annually to the Mayor and Council no later than December 31.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
A. 
To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Borough.
B. 
To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
C. 
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it may deem necessary for its purpose, within the limits of funds appropriated to the Commission.
D. 
To keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, including open marsh lands, swamps and other wetlands, to obtain information on the proper use of such areas and from time to time, to recommend to the Planning Board and Council plans and programs for inclusion in a Borough Master Plan and for the development and use of such areas.
E. 
To study and make recommendations concerning open space reserves, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna.
Subject to the prior approval of the Council and the Planning Board, the Commission may acquire property both real and personal in the name of the Borough by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and to administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of such conveyance or gift. The interest so acquired may be the fee or any lessor interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other contractual right, as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the further use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Borough.