[Adopted 11-8-1978 as Sec. 2-11
of the Revised General Ordinances]
There is hereby created and established pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-27 the Environmental Advisory Committee of the
Township.
A.
The Environmental Advisory Committee shall consist
of nine members appointed by the Township Committee, all of whom shall
be residents of the Township. The terms of office of all members shall
be three years and until the appointment and qualification of their
successors.
B.
The Township Committee shall appoint three members
for one year, three members for two years, and three members for three
years, whose terms shall commence retroactively on January 1, 2003.
Thereafter, the Township Committee shall appoint or reappoint members
for three-year terms.
C.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members of the
Planning Board to serve as the liaison between the Advisory Committee
and the Planning Board.
D.
A vacancy occurring on the Committee other than by
expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. All members
of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
The Committee is established to assist in the
protection, development and use of natural resources, including water
resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township.
In order to carry out these purposes the Committee shall have the
following functions:
A.
Promoting the conservation and development of the
natural resources of the Township by making recommendations to the
appropriate Township officials, boards and bodies.
B.
Planning, implementing and informing the public about
local conservation programs.
C.
Conducting research into the possible use of the open
areas of the Township.
D.
Recommending to the Planning Board plans and programs
for use of such open areas.
E.
Assisting and collaborating with the Planning Board
in the latter's duties and responsibilities.
F.
Rendering nonbinding opinions with respect to any
matter referred for review by the Planning Board or any application
for development referred by the administrative officer within 20 days
of such referral.
G.
Advertising, preparing, printing and distributing
books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it
deems necessary for its purposes.
H.
Acting as the coordinating agency for the community
on environmental matters and a liaison between local environmental
needs and regional, county, state and federal agencies administering
to those needs.
I.
Compiling and annually updating an environmental resource
inventory of land and water resources, which are both publicly or
privately owned, including open marsh lands, swamps, and other wetlands,
in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.
J.
At the request of the Township Administrator, reviewing
proposed and existing legislation and actions of regulatory agencies
as they impact the environment and advising the Township Committee
on such matters.
K.
Rendering nonbinding opinions with respect to any
matter referred for review by the Township Administrator or the Township
Committee, including any proposed sale or exchange of Township-owned
property, within 20 days of such referral.
L.
Recommending to the Township Committee the planting
of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in appropriate locations
or recommending the removal of any tree or part thereof for reasons
of public safety.
The Committee may recommend to the Township
Committee that the Township acquire property, both real and personal,
for the Committee's purposes, including but not limited to use as
living museums, sites for scientific study, areas for teaching of
natural history and conservation, place of historic or prehistoric
interest and scientific beauty and habitat for rare or endangered
plants and animals, and shall assist in administering the same for
such purposes. Such acquisitions may be to acquire the fee for any
lesser interest, development right, easement (including conservation
easement) covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance
on conditions or with limitations or revisions) as may be necessary
to acquire, maintain, improve, protect or limit the future use or
otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other lands
and water areas within the Township.
The Committee may recommend, for adoption by
the Township Committee, suitable rules and regulations for the use
of any such lands and the conduct of all persons while on or using
the same.
The Committee may request from all Township
officials, offices and departments such assistance as may be proper
and reasonably necessary to aid the Committee in the performance of
its duties. The Committee shall make such requests for assistance
through the Township Administrator, who shall determine if such assistance
is reasonably necessary and proper to aid the Committee in the performance
of its duties.
The Committee shall submit a budget request
to the Township Administrator by December 15 of each year which shall
recommend the appropriation of such sum to accomplish the functions
set forth herein and to implement those recommendations of the Committee
which the Township Committee, in its discretion, decrees feasible
and appropriate.
The Committee shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and shall make an annual report on or before December
1 of each year and submit the report of the Township Committee, which
report shall be comprehensive and detailed concerning the operations
and activities of the Committee during the preceding year.
A.
The Committee shall conduct a reorganization meeting
and shall organize as set forth herein within 30 days of the date
of the final adoption of this article. Thereafter, an annual organizational
meeting shall be conducted during the first meeting of the Committee
in January of each year.
B.
The Committee shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and secretary at its annual meeting and shall adopt a resolution establishing
the dates, times and places of Committee meetings for the year.
C.
The Committee is hereby authorized to adopt bylaws
to govern its procedures.
The Township Committee may remove any member
of the Committee for cause, on written charges served upon said member
and after a hearing thereon, at which time the member shall be entitled
to be heard in person or by counsel.
