Boards & Commissions
Open Space Advisory Committee
On January 24, 2006 the Township Committee reestablished the Open
Space Advisory Committee, after a hiatus of 3 years. On November
4, 1997, the voters of the Township of Bernards, approved a referendum
recommending to the Township Committee the creation of an Open Space
Trust Fund for the acquisition and preservation of open space within
the Township where such acquisition of open space would help preserve
the Township's natural resources, slow down the pace of growth and
otherwise enhance property values while reducing the need for additional
municipal services and infrastructure;
They also established an Open Space Advisory Committee to review
and recommend parcels of land and interests therein for acquisition
and preservation as open space within the Township of Bernards.
- The Open Space Advisory Committee prepares or revises and submits
to the Township Committee a current Open Space Plan for the Township
of Bernards, with express consideration for the Conservation
and Open Space Element of the Bernards Township Master Plan.
It develops an inventory of open space properties within the
Township and evaluates and prioritizes such open space properties
through the development of appropriate criteria. Such Plan shall
consist of a parcel ranking as well as recommendations concerning
the nature of the interests in such real estate to be acquired
and the purposes for which such land should be utilized.
- The Open Space Advisory Committee assists the Township in the
maintenance of an Open Space Tracing Program to catalog the state
of privately owned open space in the Township and record the
Township's progress with respect to open space preservation.
- It provides guidance and support to the Township Committee
and Planning Board on issues and matters of open space.
- It periodically reviews its functions and submits a recommendation
to the Township Committee as to whether additional duties should
be assigned or delegated to the Advisory Committee.
Membership:
The Open Space Advisory Committee consists of:
- The Township Engineer or his designated representative
- The Chief Financial Officer of the Township
- Seven (7) additional regular members to be appointed by the Township Committee
- The citizen members of the Open Space Advisory Committee serve three year
terms
Membership:
Meeting Schedule:
All meetings are held at the call of the chair and will be posted on the website.