[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Pittsgrove 12-29-2003
by Ord. No. 12-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., there is hereby established an
Environmental Commission in the Township of Pittsgrove for the protection,
development or use of natural resources, including water resources, within
the territorial limits of the Township.
A.
The Environmental Commission shall consist of five members
appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a member of the Township Planning
Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township of Pittsgrove. The
members shall serve without compensation except as herein provided. The Mayor
shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and presiding officer
of the Commission. Initially, one Commissioner shall be appointed for a one-year
term, two for two-year terms and two for three-year terms. Thereafter, members
shall serve for terms of three years or until a successor is appointed and
qualified.
B.
The Mayor or the governing body 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.
C.
A vacancy on the Commission that occurs other then by
expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as the original appointment.
D.
The governing body may appoint not more than two alternate
members to be designated 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. A vacancy that occurs
other then by expiration of a term shall be filled by the governing body for
the unexpired term only.
E.
An alternate member, after public hearing, if one is
requested, may be removed by the governing body for cause.
F.
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 that a choice must be
made as to which an alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote
first.
G.
No member or alternate member shall be permitted to act
on any matter in which he or she, either directly or indirectly, has any personal
or financial interest.
A.
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.
B.
The Commission 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 Township Planning Board or to the Township Committee
plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and
use of such areas.
C.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval
of the governing body, 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 lessor 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.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and shall make an annual report to the Township governing body.
The Township governing body may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred
by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks and
employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits
of funds appropriated to it.
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.
