The Department of Law shall be headed by the Township Attorney who shall be appointed by the Township Council for a term of one year beginning January 1 and who shall be an attorney at law of New Jersey but need not be a resident of the Township. The Township Attorney shall be paid such fees or remuneration as may be agreed with the Township Council. Any municipal prosecutor or other special attorneys in the employ of the Township shall also be members of the Department of Law.
The Department shall give all legal counsel and advice required by the Township Council or any member thereof and shall serve as legal advisor to the Township Council on all matters of Township business. The Department shall represent the Township in all judicial and administrative proceedings in which the Township or any of its officers or agencies not separately represented may be a party or have an interest. The Department shall, under the direction of the head of the Department, perform the following services:
A.
Draft or approve as to form and sufficiency all legal documents, contracts, deeds, ordinances and resolutions made, executed or adopted by or on behalf of the Township.
B.
Conduct appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest of the Township.
C.
With the approval of the Township Council compromise or settle litigation in which the Township is involved.
D.
Render opinions upon questions of law submitted to him or her by the Township Council or any member thereof with respect to Township matters.
E.
Supervise and direct the work of any additional attorneys and technical and professional assistants the Township Council may authorize for special or regular employment in or for the Township.