There is hereby established a Committee to be known
as the "Parks and Recreation Committee" (hereinafter called the "Committee").
This Committee shall consist of seven persons, nominated by the Mayor
and approved by the Township Committee, for two-year terms commencing
on January 1 of the year of appointment. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the members first appointed under this section shall take office immediately
following their appointment, and four shall be appointed for terms
ending December 31, 2003, and three shall be appointed for terms ending
December 31, 2002. A vacancy occurring for any reason, except by reason
of expiration of the member's term of office on the Committee, shall
be filled for the balance of the member's term only. There shall also
be a liaison to the Committee who shall be a member of the Township
Committee, appointed by the Township Committee for a one-year term.
Such liaison shall also be a full member of the Committee, entitled
to participate in discussion and vote. For the year 2002 the Township
Committee liaison shall be the Chairman of the Committee. The Director
of Parks and Recreation for the Township shall also be a member of
the Committee, serving ex officio during his employment as such Director,
and shall be entitled to participate in discussions but not vote.
Members of the Committee (other than the liaison and
Director) shall serve without compensation. Except as set forth above
for the year 2002 as to the Chairman, the Committee shall select a
Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members (who may be the
liaison), and shall select a Secretary who may be either a Committee
member or some other suitable person.
The Committee shall establish an annual schedule of
meetings, but the Committee may also meet as needed at the call of
the Chairman or of any two members. Notice of Committee meetings shall
be given in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act,[1] and at or prior to such time, notice of the meeting shall
be given to all Committee members. The Committee shall conduct its
business observing Roberts Rules of Order and shall comply with all
ordinances and regulations of the Township.
The Committee's responsibilities and duties shall
be to set policies and procedures for the orderly conduct of recreation
and use of parks in the Township, including the Riegel Ridge Community
Center. Such procedures shall be developed with input from the Director.
The Committee shall also prepare a proposed annual budget for parks
and recreation which shall be presented to the Township Committee
in a timely manner.
The Committee shall have no authority itself to enter
into any contracts, to hire, engage or discharge employees, consultants
or independent contractors, to submit grant applications, or to make
any budgetary commitments. The Committee is not established as an
independent body politic and shall have no power to sue or be sued.
All monies collected by the Committee shall be transmitted to the
Township Treasurer.