[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
As provided by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., an Environmental Commission is hereby established in and for the Township of Bernards.
[Ord. 216; Ord. 931; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended; Ord. #2275, 7-29-2014, amended]
The Commission shall consist of seven regular members, one of whom may be a member of the Planning Board of the Township. All seven members shall be appointed by the Mayor. The Commission will yearly recommend one of its members to the Mayor, to serve as Chair person and presiding officer. Following receipt of such recommendation, and with the advice of the Township Committee, the Mayor shall designate one of the members of the Commission to serve as its Chair person and presiding officer. The term of office of members of the Commission shall be three years. The term of any member who is also a Planning Board member shall terminate if and when his term as Planning Board member shall previously expire. In addition, the Mayor may appoint two alternate members who shall be designated at the time of appointment as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The term of office of any alternate member 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. An alternate member may participate in discussions of all proceedings but may vote only in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. No vote may be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. All members shall hold office until their successors shall be appointed and qualified. Any member may be removed for cause by the Mayor or Township Committee. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the unexpired portion of that term only. All members shall serve without compensation.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township 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 plans and programs for inclusion in a Township Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Committee, 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 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 Township.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
a. 
Public records. The records and minutes of the Environmental Commission shall be deemed public records.
b. 
Annual report. The Environmental Commission shall make, keep and preserve minutes and records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee before the 15th day of January of the succeeding year.
c. 
Other reports. Within 10 days after each meeting of the Environmental Commission, an exact copy of the minutes thereof shall be filed with the Township Clerk and with the Secretary of the Planning Board.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Township Committee may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. No expense shall be incurred or contract entered into by the Commission unless the funds therefor shall have been previously appropriated to the purpose thereof by the Township Committee, and no obligation shall be incurred for acquisition unless and until the Township Committee shall approve and consent to the same and make the appropriation necessary therefor.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as may be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.