[Adopted 11-24-1998 by Ord. No. 98-13 as Ch. 9, Art. V, of the 1998 Code]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., there is hereby created an Environmental Commission consisting of seven regular members, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board, and two alternate members; all appointed by the Mayor and all of whom shall be residents of the Township, selected on the basis of their qualifications and fitness for service on the Commission.
The Environmental Commission organized under this article shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township and may coordinate the activities of the unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes. The Commission may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment are deemed 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 or to the Mayor and Township Council plans and programs for inclusion and a Township Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Amended 6-26-2001 by Ord. No. 01-18; 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 03-03]
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as the Chairperson and presiding officer. Such member may be the Planning Board member on the Commission; provided, however, that at no time may the Chairperson of the Environmental Commission also simultaneously be the Chairperson of the Planning Board.
[Amended 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 03-03]
Three members of the Commission shall be appointed for a term of one year and until the appointment of qualified successors; three members shall be appointed for a term of two years and until the appointment of qualified successors; two members shall be appointed for a term of three years and until the appointment of qualified successors. All subsequent terms thereafter shall be for a period of three years.
The Mayor shall appoint not more than two alternate members, who shall be designated "Alternate Number 1" and "Alternate Number 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 Number 1 and one year for Alternate Number 2. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only. An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which the member either directly or indirectly has any personal or financial interest. 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 alternate member is to vote, Alternate Number 1 shall vote first.
The Mayor may remove any member or alternate member of the Commission for cause on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereof where the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.