§ 4-56.1. Agricultural Advisory Committee.

A. 

Preamble. A Township goal is to preserve farmland. That goal can be advanced through the preparation of a farmland preservation element of the Master Plan and securing grants therefor from higher level jurisdictions. One form of grant available is a planning incentive grant through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. To be eligible for such a grant, the Planning Board must prepare and adopt a farmland preservation plan element in consultation with a municipal agriculture advisory committee. It is in the best interest of the Township to create such a committee in order to plan systematically for farmland preservation and to be eligible for planning incentive grants and in order to best manage Township-owned farmland.

B. 

Creation; appointment; terms of office; vacancies; compensation.

(1) 

There is hereby created an Agricultural Advisory Committee consisting of three members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Township Council. They shall be residents of the Township, and a majority thereof shall be actively engaged in farming and shall own a portion of the land they farm. They shall serve without compensation.

(2) 

The members shall serve for terms of three years each. The initial appointments shall be staggered so that one term shall be for one year, one for two years and one for three years. Terms shall expire on December 31 of the year of expiration.

[Amended 6-1-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

Editor’s Note: This ordinance stated it would be effective 1-1-2011 as provided by Chapter 196 of the Laws of 2009.

(3) 

All appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.

(4) 

A Chairman shall be elected annually by the Committee.

C. 

Powers. The Committee shall have such powers as are granted by law to:

(1) 

Assist the Planning Board in the preparation of the farmland preservation plan element of the Master Plan.

(2) 

Advise the Planning Board as to all matters dealing with farmland preservation.

(3) 

Report annually to the Planning Board on its activities.

(4) 

Advise the Planning Board, Mayor and Township Council on the management of Township-owned farmland properties.

D. 

Annual appropriation; estimate; amount. During the month of September in each year, the Agricultural Advisory Committee may forward to the Director of Community Development the estimated sum necessary for the proper conduct of its work during the ensuing calendar year. The Township Council may annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for said purposes.

E. 

Removal of Committee member. The Mayor may remove any member of the Committee for cause on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon before the Committee, at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.

Added 11-13-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-27