The Borough of Ridgefield Environmental Commission
is hereby created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Amended 3-26-2001 by Ord. No. 1738; 2-27-2006 by Ord. No.
1975; 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 2038]
The Commission shall consist of seven members
and two alternates appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council.
One of said members shall also be a member of the Planning Board.
All members shall serve without compensation and shall be residents
of the municipality.
[Amended 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201]
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 Planning Board of the municipality plans and programs for inclusion
in a Municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
In addition to the other powers set forth herein, the Environmental
Commission shall also be charged with operating the Borough's Community
Gardens and Nature Center as more particularly set forth below.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the governing body, 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 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 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 a municipality may appropriate
funds or 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 appropriated
to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have the
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
and protection of flora and fauna.
[Added 12-26-2006 by Ord. No. 2008]
A. The Environmental Commission shall also be charged
with the planning and administration of Ridgefield’s Community
Forestry Management Plan. Disbursements from the Borough’s Shade
Tree Fund shall be subject to the approval of the Environmental Commission
or the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. The Environmental
Commission or the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works
shall have authority to accept or reject incoming plant material to
the Borough; to make recommendations concerning the pruning of public
trees; to make recommendations for the choosing of planting sites
and species to be used on all Borough replanting; and for approving
disbursements from the Shade Tree Fund. In exercising these powers,
the Environmental Commission shall nominate and appoint from amongst
its members a Shade Tree Supervisor. In the absence of said action
by the Environmental Commission, that position shall be filled by
the Chairperson of the Environmental Commission who may delegate the
powers and responsibilities to other members. The Environmental Commission
may also create an executive committee consisting of no fewer than
three regular members, including the Chairperson, and one alternate
member, which committee may be authorized to act on behalf of the
Environmental Commission when, because of time constraints, decisions
must be made before the Commission can address the issue at a regular
meeting.
[Amended 11-7-2018 by Ord. No. 2348]
B. The powers and responsibilities set forth in this
section of the chapter shall be transferred to a shade tree commission
when, and if, such a commission is established.
[Added 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201; amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2363]
The Ridgefield Community Gardens are hereby defined as that
area of land yet to be determined by the Mayor and Council of the
Borough of Ridgefield. The Environmental Commission is hereby authorized
to conduct and control the operation of the Community Gardens and
the Commission is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate and
adopt regulations for the operation of the Community Gardens which
must be approved by the Mayor and Council. A copy of said regulations
will be filed with the Borough Clerk and shall be adopted by reference
as part of this Code after said filing.
[Added 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2201; amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2363]
The Ridgefield Nature Center is hereby defined as that area
of land wooded fenced in areas (5.4 acres) to the south of Ray Avenue
between Shaler Boulevard and Abbott Avenue. The Environmental Commission
is hereby authorized to conduct and control the operation of the Ridgefield
Nature Center and the Commission is hereby authorized and directed
to promulgate and adopt regulations for the operation of the Nature
Center which must be approved by the Mayor and Council. A copy of
said regulations will be filed with the Borough Clerk and shall be
adopted by reference as part of this Code after said filing.