[1]
Editor's Note: See also § 4-28 for establishment of the Board of Health under the Division of Health, and § 4-35 for the establishment of the Board of Recreation Commissioners under the Department of Recreation and Parks.
A. 
Commission established. An Environmental Commission is hereby established in and for the Township pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-5), to be known as the "Clinton Township Environmental Commission."
B. 
Composition; term; qualifications.
(1) 
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members and two alternate members to be appointed by the Mayor. One member shall also be a member of the Clinton Township Planning Board and all members shall be residents of the Township of Clinton. The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two, and three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his/her appointments so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for term of three years, except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.
(2) 
An alternate member designated as Alternate No. 1 shall be appointed for a one-year term.
(3) 
An alternate member designated as Alternate No. 2 shall be appointed for a two-year term.
(4) 
This subsection provides that the expiration of the two alternate members' terms must be distributed evenly over the first two years after their appointment. Thereafter, the term of each alternate member shall be for two years.
(5) 
Alternate members 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 No. 1 shall vote. In the absence of Alternate No. 1, Alternate No. 2 shall vote.
C. 
Powers of Commission. The Environmental Commission 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 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, or privately owned, including publicly 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 Clinton Township Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Township Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
D. 
Acquisitions. The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Council, 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.
E. 
Records and annual report. The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Environmental Commission was originally established as the Conservation Commission. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-7, Conservation Commissions shall be known as Environmental Commissions.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-68, Recycling Committee, was repealed 9-22-2010 by Ord. No. 1000-10. See now Ch. 235, Solid Waste, Art. II, Recycling.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to promote the conservation of historic sites and districts and to safeguard the heritage of Clinton Township by preserving the elements of its cultural, social, scenic economic, and architectural history.
B. 
Formation of Commission. There is hereby established in and for the Township an Historic Preservation Commission.
C. 
Class qualifications.
(1) 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of five regular members and may have not more than two alternate members. Of the regular members, a total of at least one less than a majority shall be of Classes A and B; and three members shall be of Class C. Class qualifications shall be as follows:
[Amended 2-28-2001 by Ord. No. 741-01; 2-25-2004 by Ord. No. 838-04; 7-18-2007 by Ord. No. 927-07]
(a) 
Class A: Persons who are knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history who may reside outside the Township.
(b) 
Class B: Persons who are knowledgeable or with a demonstrated interest in local history who may reside outside the Township.
(c) 
Class C: Citizens of the Township who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment, except for membership on the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
(2) 
Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members.
D. 
Appointment of members; terms; vacancies.
(1) 
The Mayor shall appoint all members of the Commission and shall designate at the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members, if any, as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2.
(2) 
The terms of the members first appointed shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of the terms shall be distributed, in the case of regular members, evenly over the first four years after their appointment, and in the case of alternate members, evenly over the first two years after their appointment, provided that the initial term of no regular member shall exceed four years, and that the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed two years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years; and the term of an alternate member shall be two years.
(3) 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the term of membership on the Planning Board; and the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the Board of Adjustment.
E. 
Chairman; Vice Chairman; Secretary. The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its members, and select a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission or a municipal employee.
F. 
Regulations. The Commission shall create rules and procedures for the transaction of its business subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of four of the Commission's members, including the Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice Chairman.
[Amended 2-28-2001 by Ord. No. 741-01]
(2) 
The Secretary shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings, including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determinations and decisions. All such materials shall be public records.
(3) 
All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-7 et seq.).
(4) 
Alternate members 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 No. 1 shall vote.
(5) 
No member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or in directly, any personal or financial interest.
(6) 
A member of the Historic Preservation Commission may (after public hearing if he/she requests it) be removed by the Township Council for cause.
G. 
Compensation for members. The Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official business.
H. 
Compensation for experts and other staff services. The Historic Commission may secure the voluntary assistance of the public and (within the limits of the budget established by the Township for the Historic Preservation Commission's operation) to retain consultants and experts.
I. 
Powers and duties. The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the responsibility to:
(1) 
Prepare a survey of historic sites of the Township pursuant to criteria identified in the survey report; and
(2) 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the historic preservation plan element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic sites of any other Master Plan elements; and
(3) 
Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the recommended capital improvement program; and
(4) 
Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications for development, pursuant to Subsection J of this section.
(5) 
Provide written reports pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-111 on the application of the zoning ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation; and
(6) 
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the Township.
J. 
Referrals by Planning Board. The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall refer to the Historic Preservation Commission every application submitted for development in Historic Zoning Districts or on historic sites designated on the Zoning or Official Map or identified in any component element of the Master Plan to either Board. The referral shall be made when the application for development is deemed complete or is scheduled for a hearing, whichever occurs sooner. Failure to refer the application as required shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding. The Historic Preservation Commission may provide its advice which shall be conveyed through its delegation on one of its members or staff to testify orally at the hearing on the application and to explain any written report which may have been submitted.
K. 
Demolition of historic structure.
[Added 5-26-2004 by Ord. No. 848-04; amended 12-8-2004 by Ord. No. 867-04]
(1) 
Notice required. Any applicant to the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment for the development of a site, or any applicant to the Building Department for a demolition permit, which involves a historic structure must provide notice to the Historic Preservation Commission.
(2) 
Form of notice.
(a) 
Such notice shall be provided in a letter to the Township Administrator sent via certified mail (return receipt requested), containing the following information:
[1] 
Street address;
[2] 
Tax Map lot and block number;
[3] 
A description of the structure to be removed or demolished; and
[4] 
The anticipated date of removal/demolition.
(b) 
No land use application shall be deemed complete, nor shall any demolition permit be granted, without proper notice evidenced by a copy of the letter and certified receipt filed with the applicable municipal agency.
(3) 
Time for notice. In the case of a land use application, an applicant must provide such notice as part of the land use board’s application checklist. In the case of a demolition permit, such notice must be provided not less than 30 days prior to the proposed demolition.
(4) 
The applicant shall permit the Historic Preservation Commission to access the subject property for documentary purposes. The Historic Preservation Commission may waive the thirty-day notice requirement and/or access to the site or structure provided that such waiver is provided by the Commission in writing to the applicant.
(5) 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall provide its findings and recommendations to the pertinent municipal agency prior to the issuance of any approval or demolition permit. The Historic Preservation Commission shall have not less than seven, but not more than 14 days from the date of its receipt of the notice set forth in this subsection to provide such findings and recommendations. If the Historic Preservation Commission has no concerns with the proposed demolition, then the demolition permit shall be issued.
(6) 
Where the Historic Preservation Commission raises concerns with the proposed demolition of a historic structure, and the matter is not the subject of a land use application, the matter shall be referred to the Planning Board before a demolition permit shall be issued. The Planning Board shall consider the matter at its next occurring meeting, provided at least 10 days have elapsed between the issuance of the Historic Preservation Commission report and such Planning Board meeting. The matter may be carried or postponed with the consent of the applicant. Should the applicant fail to consent to a reasonable request by the Planning Board to postpone or carry the matter, the Planning Board’s adoption of the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendations shall not be deemed to be arbitrary or capricious. The applicant shall post such escrows as the Planning Board believes is necessary for a full and fair determination of the matter. The applicant shall not be required to provide any public notice for such hearing. The Planning Board shall notify the Historic Preservation Commission within five days of the scheduling of the hearing.
(7) 
The findings and recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission shall not be binding upon the Planning Board, but shall be considered by the same. The Planning Board shall consider the historic value of the subject structure, the recommendations made by the Historic Preservation Commission, and the costs in resources, including time and money, to the applicant if the Historic Preservation Commission recommendations are followed. The applicant may be required to provide such sums as are necessary to document and/or preserve the historic structure. The Planning Board shall balance the above considerations and shall attach such reasonable conditions to the issuance of a demolition permit as it feels is reasonable and necessary.
(8) 
Any applicant who disputes the decision of the Planning Board shall have the right to appeal to the Township Council within 10 days of the rendering of the Planning Board decision by the filing of a letter or notice of appeal with the Township Clerk. The Township Council shall conduct a hearing at the next occurring Council meeting after the filing of the appeal. The Council may take new testimony with regard to the subject application and shall have the right to modify or overturn the Planning Board decision on the affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the Township Council. Any decision of the Township Council may be appealed to the Superior Court via an action in lieu of prerogative writ.
(9) 
For the purposes of this subsection, "historic structure" shall be defined as any man-made structure which has been designated as a site of historic, archaeological, cultural, scenic or architectural significance at the national, state or local level.
[Amended 7-18-2007 by Ord. No. 927-07]
A. 
Creation of Authority. Pursuant to the provisions of the Sewerage Authorities Law of the State of New Jersey,[1] there is hereby created a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of the "Clinton Township Sewerage Authority."
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:14A-1 et seq.
B. 
Powers and duties. The Clinton Township Sewerage Authority hereby created is a sewerage authority as contemplated and provided for by the Sewerage Authorities Law and shall have and exercise all of the powers and perform all of the duties provided for by the Sewerage Authorities Law and any other statutes applicable thereto.
C. 
Compensation for services. Members of the Clinton Township Sewerage Authority may receive from the Authority compensation for their services as members, within the limitation hereby stated, that no member shall receive in excess of $1,000 per annum.
D. 
Filing of copy. A copy of this section, duly certified by the Municipal Clerk, shall forthwith be filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 5-14-2008 by Ord. No. 959-08; 12-8-2002 by Ord. No. 802-02; 3-12-2014 by Ord. No. 1054-14; 8-10-2016 by Ord. No. 1090-16]
A. 
Findings. The voters of the Township of Clinton approved a referendum which recommended the creation of an Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition and preservation of open space within the Township; and an Open Space Advisory Committee would be of substantial help to the Township to carry out the intents and purposes of an Open Space Trust Fund.
B. 
Establishment. There is hereby established an Open Space Advisory Committee which shall consist of six regular members and two alternate members whose terms and duties are hereinafter set forth.
C. 
Membership.
(1) 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor with approval of the rest of the Township Council and shall be comprised of the following persons:
(a) 
One member of the Township Council of the Township of Clinton;
(b) 
One Class II or Class IV member of the Planning Board of the Township of Clinton;
(c) 
One member of the Environmental Commission of the Township of Clinton; and
(d) 
Three citizens of the Township of Clinton.
(2) 
Alternate members. Two citizens of the Township of Clinton to be identified as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 shall also be appointed by the Mayor with approval from the rest of the Council. Alternate members may participate in discussions but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a member.
D. 
Terms of office; remuneration.
(1) 
The term for the Township Council, Planning Board and Environmental Commission members of the Committee shall be one year.
(2) 
The term for the three citizen members of the Committee shall be two years, and their terms shall be staggered such that two citizen members are appointed in one year, and the following year one citizen member is appointed.
(3) 
The term for alternate members shall be two years, and their terms shall be staggered.
(4) 
A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of the term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
(5) 
Members shall serve without remuneration.
E. 
Duties of the Open Space Advisory Committee.
(1) 
The Committee shall compile and maintain a list of eligible open space properties in the Township.
(2) 
The Committee shall submit to the Township Council annually, or on a more frequent basis, a prioritized list of properties which it recommends that the Township acquire and/or properties for which it recommends that permanent easements or development rights be acquired. The Township Council shall review the list and make a determination as to which property acquisitions, easements or development rights should be funded, and appropriate the necessary funds accordingly.
(3) 
The Committee shall periodically review the list of potential open space properties, adding or deleting properties as appropriate.
(4) 
The Committee may receive inquiries from landowners seeking information about open space and farmland preservation programs in the Township and may solicit information from owners of properties that might be potential candidates for acquisition or other easements under the Open Space Trust Fund.
(5) 
When requested by the Township Council, the Committee shall draft a property management plan providing for the development and maintenance of open space parcels, and, if approved by the Township Council, in the implementation of the approved property management plan. The Committee shall also submit an annual status report for each parcel subject to a property management plan to the Township Council as well as a summary of the year's activities regarding open space acquisition.
F. 
Officers. The Mayor, with approval of the rest of the Council, shall appoint from among the members a Chairperson to preside over the Committee's meetings, and the Committee shall select a Vice Chairperson from its members to serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the Chairperson. The Committee shall also select a Secretary whose function shall be to maintain minutes of the Committee's meetings and records of the proceedings of the Committee.
G. 
Funding for open space acquisition and maintenance.
(1) 
There is hereby established a reserve in the general capital fund which shall be known and designated as the "Open Space Trust Fund." A special bank account shall be opened and maintained for this purpose. Funds from the Open Space Trust Fund may, as directed by the Township Council, be utilized for the following purposes:
(a) 
The acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes;
(b) 
The acquisition of farmland for farmland preservation purposes;
(c) 
Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the Township for any of the purposes set forth in Subsection G(1)(a) and (b) above; and
(d) 
The development and/or maintenance of all lands or interests therein acquired for all recreation and conservation purposes, provided that not more than 50% of the annual open space tax levy, as set forth in Subsection G(2) below, may be set aside annually for said development and/or maintenance purposes. As used herein, the word "development" means "any improvement to land acquired for recreation and conservation purposes designed to expand and enhance its utilization for those purposes."
[Amended 4-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1111-18]
(2) 
The Open Space Trust Fund shall be funded through the dedication to the fund of an amount of $0.02 per $100 of the assessed value of real property located within the Township. The Trust Fund shall also be permitted to accept donations and testamentary bequests. Any and all interest accruing on the Fund shall be placed back into the Open Space Trust Fund.
(3) 
The Mayor and Council shall annually determine by resolution what portion of the Trust Fund monies (not to exceed 50%) to allocate that year toward the development and maintenance of lands or interests therein acquired for recreation and conservation purposes, except that nothing herein shall preclude the Mayor and Council from amending said allocation as needed to address unanticipated expenditures. Prior to adopting said resolution, the Mayor and Council shall solicit the input of the Open Space Advisory Committee and provide opportunity for public comment on the proposed allocation.
[Added 4-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1111-18]
H. 
Sale of property.
(1) 
No property acquired with funds from the Open Space Trust Fund shall be leased or sold, unless such action has been prescribed by law.
(2) 
The Township Council, after at least one public hearing thereon and a finding that the purposes of this section might otherwise be better served or that any land acquired by the Township pursuant to this section is required for another public use, may convey, by ordinance, through sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition, title to or a lesser interest in that land, provided that the Township shall replace any land conveyed under this section by land of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness, size, quality and location to the land conveyed. Any money derived from the conveyance shall be deposited in the Open Space Trust Fund.
(3) 
Any conveyance made pursuant to this subsection shall be in accordance with the Local Lands and Buildings Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12-1 et seq.). In the event of conveyance by exchange, the land or improvements thereon to be transferred to the trust shall be at least equal in fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness, size, quality and location to the land or improvements transferred.
[Added 5-14-2003 by Ord. No. 816-03; amended 12-9-2015 by Ord. No. 1078-15]
A. 
Establishment, members, appointment, terms.
(1) 
There is hereby established within the Township the Cable Advisory Committee which shall be comprised of five members. All members shall serve for a terms of three years.
(2) 
The Cable Advisory Committee shall be constituted on an as-needed basis when a current cable television ("CATV") franchise agreement is expiring.
(3) 
A member of Council shall be appointed by the Mayor at the annual reorganization meeting to serve as the Chairperson of the Cable Advisory Committee. The other four members of the Cable Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. Vacancies, other than by the expiration of the terms, shall be filled in the manner prescribed herein, but only for the balance of the unexpired term.
(4) 
The Cable Advisory Committee shall be disbanded within one year of approval of a new or renewed cable franchise agreement. Upon disbanding, the Council may appoint one of its members or a Township employee to serve as the Township's liaison to the CATV franchise holder(s) and assume other relevant duties and responsibilities established under Subsection C below.
B. 
Organization and meetings.
(1) 
All members shall serve without compensation.
(2) 
The Committee shall meet at such times as the Chairperson or a majority of its members direct.
(3) 
A Clerk or Secretary may be appointed by the Committee, and such Clerk or Secretary need not be a member of the Committee.
C. 
Duties and responsibilities.
(1) 
The Committee shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Council and to other Township committees, boards and bodies with respect to any matters relating to CATV, Internet service and video facilities within the Township or County of Hunterdon. The Committee shall make annual reports of its activities with recommendations to the Mayor and Council, and at such other times as the Mayor and Council shall request. Finally, the Committee shall act as liaison between the Township and other entities involved in municipal CATV, Internet service and video facilities, in the Township, including the Township's cable franchise holder(s).
(2) 
Review the municipal CATV franchise(s) in the Township and see to the compliance thereof by the franchise holder(s).
(3) 
Encourage and promote the full utilization of the municipal CATV system resources by various public bodies, citizen organizations and the general public.
(4) 
Encourage and coordinate the use of all available technical equipment and expertise needed by the public and private organizations and private individuals to produce municipal CATV programs.
(5) 
Examine all possible means of contracting public and private funding which would enhance the public's opportunity to fully benefit from the use of the municipal CATV system.
(6) 
Propose appropriate procedures for the municipal CATV franchise holder regarding the scheduling and programming of municipal government and educational channels. Any procedures should be so designated as to facilitate the free and open use of these channels and should not be in conflict with any existing or future local, state or federal regulations regarding the public use of the municipal CATV system.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A279, Cable Television Franchise.
(7) 
Serve as an advisory body to the Mayor and Council and to the municipal CATV system franchise holder(s) in resolving disputes and citizen complaints relating to the service of public access channels, municipal or educational channels of the municipal CATV system.
(8) 
Prepare an annual operation report to the Mayor and Council in cooperation with the franchise holder(s) as to the status and progress of the municipal CATV system(s) for the previous 12 months.
(9) 
Recommend any changes and improvements in the system(s), provided that these changes are acceptable to the Mayor and Council as well as the franchise holder(s).
(10) 
Ascertain the opinions and desires of Township residents and subscribers on all aspects of the CATV system(s).
(11) 
Perform all duties, functions and responsibilities delegated to the Cable Advisory Committee in the Municipal Consent Ordinance ("MCO") which was the basis for the approval of any franchise agreement, including, but not limited to:
(a) 
Monitoring coverage in the primary service area and ensuring that the system extension occurs and line extension policy is enforced all as provided in the MCO.
(b) 
Monitoring the quality and timeliness of the system rebuild in accordance with the MCO.
(c) 
Collaborating with the franchise holder(s) and the Clinton Township Board of Education regarding the development of access channels and the acquisition of equipment in accordance with the MCO.
(d) 
Development of curriculum for access channel training in accordance with the MCO.
(e) 
Development and selection of programs and events appropriate for production on the local origination channel in accordance with provision of the MCO.
(f) 
Collaborate with the franchise holder(s) in developing institutional networks in accordance with the MCO.
(g) 
Ensure quality customer service through quarterly meetings with the franchise holder(s), communication of consumer complaints and franchise holder(s) responses thereto, and receiving consumer reports of customer complaints maintained by the Office of Cable Television in accordance with the MCO.
(h) 
Development of customer surveys in accordance with the MCO.
(i) 
Monitoring to ensure broad categories of programming in accordance with the MCO.
(j) 
Such other actions and activities reasonably implied from a reading of the MCO to ensure compliance by the franchise holder(s) and the receipt of all expected services by Clinton Township residents.
(12) 
Assist the Mayor and Council relative to the negotiation of any MCOs.
(13) 
Furnish all other information, advise and take all other actions as requested by the Mayor and Council.
[Added 4-9-2008 by Ord. No. 958-08]
In addition to the fees set forth in this Code, the following fees shall be charged by the Township:
A. 
Office of the Municipal Clerk:
(1) 
Annual administrative fee for processing of limousine and taxi certificate: $50 per company, plus $10 per vehicle. The fee shall be accompanied by a list of vehicles currently registered to the company.
[Amended 12-9-2015 by Ord. No. 1077-15]