[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Brick 2-27-2007
by Ord. No. 2-07.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Township Ethics Information Committee
consisting of three Council members and three members of the public who are
residents of the Township of Brick. The public members of the Ethics Information
Committee shall be appointed by the Township Council. The members shall be
chosen by virtue of their known and consistent reputation for integrity and
their knowledge of local government affairs.
The members of the Township Ethics Information Committee shall annually
elect a Chairperson from among the membership.
The Township Clerk shall serve as Ethics Officer.
A.
The public members shall be appointed, and the Council
members designated, by resolution of the Township Council for terms of no
more than one year.
B.
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Ethics
Information Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment
for the unexpired term.
Members of the Ethics Information Committee shall serve without compensation.
Within 90 days after the establishment of a Township Ethics Information
Committee, and by January 31 of each succeeding year, the Ethics Officer shall
distribute the Township Code of Conduct and the applicable state Ethics Law
to all local government officers and employees, including all elected officials,
appointed board and committee members. Employees and officials serving an
independent authority of the Township shall be deemed to be serving the municipality
for purposes of this chapter. The Ethics Officer shall obtain, and maintain,
a signed statement from each person to whom the information is distributed,
acknowledging receipt of the distributed materials. If the Township Code of
Conduct, or the relevant state ethics standard is revised or supplemented,
copies of such revision or supplement shall be provided, and acknowledged,
in the same manner as set forth herein for the annual distribution.
A.
The Township Ethics Information Committee, through the
Ethics Officer, shall establish an e-mail address, and a toll-free phone number
for the receipt of ethical questions or complaints alleging that the conduct
of any local government officer or employee serving the municipality is in
conflict with the Code of Conduct, or applicable ethical standard. Questions
and complaints may be submitted by employees, officials or other identified
individuals with regard to possible violations of the Township Code of Conduct
or state ethics requirements. All complaints or questions received must be
submitted with the name and address of the submitter. Anonymous submissions
will not be forwarded to the Committee.
B.
The Ethics Officer will forward such questions and complaints
to the Committee. The Committee will hold meetings, at least quarterly, and
will respond, in writing, to questions as soon as practicable. Complaints
will be submitted by the Ethics Officer to the Committee without identifying
individual employees. If the complaint describes what the Committee considers
questionable conduct, the Committee shall direct the Ethics Officer to forward
the complaint to the Ethics Division of the Local Finance Board in the State
Office of Community Affairs. The individual submitting the complaint shall
be advised in writing whether the matter was so forwarded or if the information
presented did not appear to the Committee to describe an ethical lapse. If
the Committee is not forwarding the complaint to the Ethics Division of the
Local Finance Board in the State Office of Community Affairs, the Committee
will advise, in writing, the individual submitting the complaint that he or
she may file such complaint directly with the Ethics Division of the Local
Finance Board in the State Office of Community Affairs.
