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Township of Moorestown, NJ
Burlington County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Amended 9-27-1982 by Ord. No. 1132; 3-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1463-89]
There shall be the following administrative departments among and within which the Manager shall allocate and assign all administrative functions, powers and duties of the Township government which are not allocated or assigned to a particular department by the Charter or this chapter:
A. 
Finance.
B. 
Public Works.
C. 
Police.
D. 
Parks and Recreation.
E. 
Health and Welfare.
F. 
Community Development.
Each department head, under the direction and supervision of the Manager, shall:
A. 
Exercise and discharge such functions, powers and duties as may be allocated and assigned to the department by the Charter or by any ordinance.
B. 
Direct and supervise the work of his department.
C. 
Organize the activities of the department and allocate and assign functions to its employees.
D. 
Have such powers of appointment and removal of subordinates within the department as may be delegated to him by the Manager pursuant to the Charter.
A. 
Department generally. There shall be a Department of Finance, the head of which shall be the Director of Finance. Prior to his appointment, the Director of Finance shall be qualified by training and experience for the duties of his office. The Director of Finance shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Township.
[Amended 6-22-1987 by Ord. No. 1361; 2-12-1990 by Ord. No. 1514-90]
B. 
Divisions. Within the Department, there shall be the following Divisions:
(1) 
The Division of Assessments, the head of which shall be the Township Assessor.
(2) 
The Division of Accounts and Control, the head of which shall be the Director of Finance.
[Amended 6-22-1987 by Ord. No. 1361]
(3) 
The Division of the Treasury, the head of which shall be the Treasurer.
(4) 
The Division of Tax Collection, the head of which shall be the Tax Collector.
C. 
Division of Assessments.
(1) 
Within the Department of Finance, there shall be a Division of Tax Assessments, the head of which shall be the Tax Assessor. The Tax Assessor shall have, perform and discharge all the functions, powers and duties prescribed for Assessors by the Charter and ordinances and shall, further, make appraisals of property for any municipal purpose upon direction of the Manager.
(2) 
There may be a Deputy Tax Assessor, who shall generally assist the Tax Assessor in the proper performance of all his duties. The Deputy Tax Assessor shall also have all of the powers and perform all of the duties vested in the Tax Assessor at such times as the Tax Assessor shall be absent from the Township or unable to serve by reason of disability or otherwise.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
D. 
Division of the Treasury. Within the Department of Finance there shall be a Division of the Treasury. The head of the Division shall be the Treasurer, who shall be appointed pursuant to law.
(1) 
The Treasurer shall have, perform and exercise all the functions, powers and duties as are provided by the Charter and municipal ordinances relating to Municipal Treasurers, and he shall keep proper records and shall report to the Director of the Department at least monthly all receipts and deposits made by him and shall in such report account for all moneys for which he is responsible.
(2) 
All moneys received from any source by or on behalf of the Township or any department, board, office or agency, except as otherwise provided by Charter or municipal ordinance, shall be paid to the Treasurer, who shall, by the next ensuing bank day after their receipt, deposit them to the credit of the Township in an authorized public depository to the credit of the proper account. Such payments to the Treasurer shall be made at the end of each calendar month by the Municipal Clerk and the Tax Collector and shall be made by other officers, agencies, departments and boards as provided by law.
(3) 
The Treasurer shall have custody of all current funds of the Township and shall make disbursements therefrom in accordance with this chapter.
E. 
Division of Tax Collection. Within the Department of Finance there shall be a Division of Tax Collection, the head of which shall be the Tax Collector, who shall be appointed pursuant to law.
(1) 
The Tax Collector shall have, perform and exercise all the functions, powers and duties as are provided by the Charter and municipal ordinances relating to Municipal Tax Collectors, and he shall keep proper records and shall report to the Director of the Department at least monthly all receipts and deposits made by him and shall in such report account for all moneys for which he is responsible.
(2) 
The Tax Collector shall receive and collect all moneys assessed or raised by taxation or assessment for any purpose. He shall keep a current record of all tax title liens, advising the Director promptly as liens become subject to foreclosure under the law. He shall enforce the payment of delinquent taxes by the means provided by law as soon as the same become delinquent.
(3) 
The Tax Collector shall also serve as municipal tax search officer and collector of assessments.
F. 
Division of Accounts and Control. The Division of Accounts and Control, under the direction and supervision of the Director, shall:
(1) 
Maintain the Township's central bookkeeping and accounting records, preaudit and control all claims and demands against the Township and maintain an encumbrance system of budgetary control.
(2) 
The Division shall keep and maintain books and records of all financial transactions in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Division of Local Government Services. It shall make monthly reports to the Manager of all receipts, expenditures, commitments and unexpended appropriations. It shall have custody of all investments and invested funds of the Township or in possession of the Township in a fiduciary capacity except as otherwise provided by law, and said investments and invested funds shall be kept safely invested with the advice and approval of the Manager. It shall further have the safekeeping of all bonds and notes of the Township and the receipt and delivery of all township bonds and notes for transfer, registration or exchange.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
A. 
Department generally. There shall be a Department of Public Works, the head of which shall be the Director. Prior to his appointment, he shall be qualified by training and experience for the duties of his office.
B. 
Water and Sewer Division. Within the Department of Public Works there shall be a Division of Water and Sewers. The Division shall maintain and operate the Township's water and sewer systems and service public fire hydrants.
C. 
Roads and property. Within the Department there shall be a Division of Roads and Property. The Division shall:
(1) 
Maintain, repair, construct and reconstruct public roads and streets of the Township.
(2) 
Maintain, repair and provide public works services to the playgrounds of the Township and trim, plant and care for shade trees, public parks and greens.
(3) 
Maintain township streets and roads in a clean and safe condition for passage, free of obstructions and hazards, and remove snow and ice therefrom as required.
D. 
Division of Sanitation. Within the Department of Public Works there shall be a Division of Sanitation. The Division shall operate and maintain township services for the collection and disposal of domestic garbage, trash and other wastes.
E. 
General services. The Department also shall:
(1) 
Receive applications for and issue permits as provided by ordinance.
(2) 
Provide technical and mechanical services required by any department, subject to the direction of the Manager.
(3) 
Operate, maintain and repair public parking areas and facilities.
(4) 
Maintain and repair township buildings and properties and provide custodial and janitorial services therefor, including real estate acquired by tax foreclosure or otherwise.
(5) 
Provide for the care, storage, use and disposition of motor vehicles and motorized equipment of the Township, except as the Manager shall otherwise direct.
[Amended 3-10-1986 by Ord. No. 1304; 3-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1463-89; 11-30-2015 by Ord. No. 25-2015]
A. 
Department established; composition.
(1) 
The Police Department of the Township of Moorestown is hereby established and shall consist of a Chief of Police, a maximum of two police Lieutenants, a maximum of seven police Sergeants, a maximum of four Corporals, a maximum of 21 patrol officers, and such other special law enforcement officers, school crossing guards, and employees that the Township Manager shall from time to time appoint.
(2) 
Within the Department, there shall be:
(a) 
The Office of Chief of Police.
(b) 
Field Operations Division.
(c) 
Support Services Division.
(d) 
An Office of Emergency Management, the head of which shall be the Emergency Management Coordinator, who shall be appointed by the Township Manager after considering any recommendation of the Chief of Police, shall be a member of and shall serve as Chairman of the Emergency Management Council and shall have such functions, powers and duties as prescribed by general law, executive order, ordinance or resolution (New Jersey Laws of 1953, Chapter 438, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-40.1).
(3) 
The following line of authority shall be observed: Patrol officers shall report and be accountable to their Corporal and/or Sergeant; Corporals shall report and be accountable to their Sergeant; Sergeants shall report and be accountable to their division Lieutenant; Lieutenants shall report and be accountable to the Chief. Other personnel shall report and be accountable to their division Lieutenant or the Chief, as the Chief deems appropriate.
B. 
Township Manager designated as appropriate authority. The Township Manager is hereby designated as the "appropriate authority" as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, with all powers enumerated therein, including the power to fix policies for the regulation and control of the Police Department. The Township Manager shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Department and shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the government of the police force and for the discipline of its members.
C. 
Chief of Police. Duties and responsibilities of Chief, Office of Emergency Management and other positions.
(1) 
The head of the Police Department shall be the Chief of Police, who shall be appointed by the Township Manager and who shall carry out such duties as the Township Manager shall assign to the Chief. The Chief of Police shall be directly responsible to the Township Manager for the efficiency and routine day-to-day duties to members and other personnel of the Department. The Chief shall have full charge and control of the apparatus and equipment of the Department and its assignment and use, and shall be held responsible for its care, cleanliness, and safekeeping, and render a strict account thereof when called for by the Township Manager. The Chief of Police shall, pursuant to the policies established by the Township Manager:
(a) 
Be responsible for the proper and efficient conduct of all public safety functions of the Township government, including emergency management, but excluding the functions of the fire district Boards of Commissioners;
(b) 
Have, exercise and discharge the function, powers and duties of the force;
(c) 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel;
(d) 
Delegate such authority as he or she may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his or her direction and supervision;
(e) 
Report at least monthly to the Township Manager in such form as shall be prescribed by the Township Manager on the operation of the force during the preceding month, and make such other reports as may be requested by the Township Manager;
(f) 
Recommend to the Township Manager from time to time the purchase of new equipment or the repair or rearrangement of such old equipment as will increase the efficiency of the Department;
(g) 
Keep the records of the Police Department in such manner and form as may be prescribed by the Township Manager;
(h) 
Report, in writing, whatever information the Township Manager or the Chief of Police may deem necessary for the information of the Township Manager or Township Council or for the public benefit and the good of the Police Department; and
(i) 
Recommend to the Township Manager rules and regulations for the conduct and discipline of the members of the Police Department and amendments to the rules and regulations as necessary.
(2) 
No person shall be appointed Chief of the Police Department unless, in addition to equivalency, and has completed the municipal Police Academy course of the State of New Jersey or an acceptable equivalent course. He or she shall have a thorough knowledge of the criminal statutes and laws of the State of New Jersey and of the ordinances of the Township of Moorestown and shall have the ability to prepare reports and direct and administer the Police Department.
(3) 
In the event the Chief of Police is absent or goes on voluntary temporary leave, or he or she shall, if the Chief deems it necessary for the efficient operation of the force, designate a member of the Police Department to act as Officer in Charge until the Chief of Police returns to duty. In case of death, removal, suspension, incompetency or resignation of the Chief of Police, or if the Township Manager determines that the Chief of Police is incapable of making such designation, the Township Manager shall designate the person to act as Officer in Charge until the Chief of Police returns to duty or a successor is appointed. The person so designated shall be charged with and perform all the duties of the Chief of Police while so acting. Such temporary appointment shall not increase the compensation of the person so designated.
D. 
Duties of the Department. The Police Department shall:
(1) 
Preserve the public peace, protect life and property, prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders against the penal laws and ordinances effective within the Township, suppress riots, mobs and insurrections, disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages, and preserve order at all elections, public meetings and assemblages;
(2) 
Administer and enforce laws and ordinances to regulate, direct, control and restrict the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the use of the streets by vehicles and persons to protect the safety and facilitate the convenience of motorists and pedestrians;
(3) 
Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the public streets, parks and other public places, inspect and observe all places of public amusement or assemblage, and all places of business requiring any state or municipal license or permit, and report thereon to the appropriate department;
(4) 
Provide proper police attendance and protection at fires and other emergencies;
(5) 
Provide for the attendance of its members in court as necessary for the prosecution and trial of persons charged with crimes and offenses and cooperate fully with the law enforcement and prosecuting authorities of federal, state, county and local governments; and
(6) 
Operate a training program to maintain and improve the efficiency of the members of the Department, subject to the budgetary approval of the Township Council.
(7) 
Office of Emergency Management.
(a) 
The Office of Emergency Management shall be responsible for the planning, activation, coordination and operation of the emergency management activity in the Township. The Coordinator will cause to be prepared a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the Township's response to natural and man-made emergencies, utilizing and encompassing all local emergency service personnel and resources.
(b) 
The Emergency Management Council, with powers and duties prescribed by general law, is hereby created in the Township. The Council shall consist of no more than 15 persons, who shall be appointed by and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Township Manager, and shall receive no compensation.
(8) 
Duties of other specific positions (i.e., job descriptions) shall be those established from time to time for the same specific positions by the New Jersey Department of Personnel.
E. 
Rules and regulations. The Township Manager, as appointing authority, shall from time to time as may seem necessary in his judgment, and pursuant to the authority of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, adopt and amend the rules and regulations for the conduct and discipline of the Police Department and members thereof. The Township Manager shall distribute copies of any newly adopted rule, regulation or amendment promptly after its adoption to the Chief of Police. Any such rule, regulation or amendment shall take effect 30 days after adoption unless the Township Manager shall declare in his adoption that an emergency exists which requires a rule, regulation or amendment to take effect immediately. Said rules and regulations may fix and provide for the enforcement of such rules and regulations and the enforcement of penalties for any violations. All members and employees of the Police Department shall be subject to such rules, regulations and penalties.
F. 
Disciplinary action. Departmental discipline is to be administered in accord with the rules and regulations of the Department as promulgated by the Township Manager and in accord with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, relevant provisions of the New Jersey Civil Service Act and regulations related thereto, and applicable court decisions.
G. 
Special orders preserved. Special orders of the Department not inconsistent with this article are preserved and shall remain in full force and effect.
A. 
Department generally. There shall be a Department of Parks and Recreation, the head of which shall be the Director. Prior to his appointment, he shall be qualified by training and experience in the field of public recreation.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: As to the Recreation Advisory Committee, see Art. VII, § 6-45, of this chapter.
B. 
Department functions generally. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall:
(1) 
Administer and operate playgrounds, facilities for indoor and outdoor sports and athletic and recreational programs and activities for children and adults.
(2) 
Administer and operate facilities, functions and activities relating to public recreation.
(3) 
Use public school property, by agreement with the Board of Education, to the extent that such property may be adaptable and available for the recreational programs and purposes of the Department.
(4) 
Plan and develop additional public recreational areas and facilities.
C. 
Community House. The Department shall adopt and administer a program including all public recreational activities which employ the facilities of the Moorestown Community House. The Council may enter into an appropriate contract for the use, management and maintenance of the Community House for public recreational purposes. To the fullest extent feasible, the Department shall cooperate with other public, semipublic and private recreational organizations in the Township.
D. 
Charges and fees. The Department may sponsor, arrange and provide for the giving of indoor and outdoor exhibitions, concerts, games and contests and may use and employ public property for such purposes. The Department may charge and collect for the use of the Township a reasonable admission fee for each person entering or using facilities, exhibitions, concerts, games or contests provided under this article when authorized by the Council.
E. 
Rules and regulations.
(1) 
The Department may adopt reasonable rules, regulations and bylaws for the conduct of all persons while on or using such public property devoted to park or recreational uses. Any person who shall violate any such rules, regulations or bylaws shall be adjudged to be a disorderly person.
(2) 
The custodians, supervisors and assistants appointed for the Department shall, while on duty and for the purpose of preserving order and the observance of the rules, regulations and bylaws of the Department, have the power and authority of special police officers of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 125, Parks and Recreational Facilities.
A. 
Department established. There shall be a Department of Health and Welfare, the head of which shall be the Director. Prior to his appointment, the Director shall be qualified by training and experience for the duties of his office.
B. 
Division of Health. Within the Department there shall be a Division of Health, the head of which shall be the Health Officer. Under the supervision of the Director, the Division shall:
(1) 
Have all of the functions, powers and duties of a Local Board of Health under Title 26 of the Revised Statutes, except that, as required by the Charter, the Council shall have and exercise all local legislative powers under that Title.
(2) 
Plan and administer a comprehensive public health program, including, without limitation thereto, environmental sanitation, communicable disease control, child and adult health and health education, laboratory services and other services as may be authorized by the Charter or any ordinance.
(3) 
Administer and enforce the local health ordinances.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Legislation of the Board of Health is included as Part III of this Code.
(4) 
Maintain and administer records of vital statistics, including births, deaths and marriages, in accordance with state law and receive applications for and issue marriage licenses pursuant to law, provided that the Director may appoint the Township Clerk to serve as Registrar of Vital Statistics pursuant to the Charter and this chapter.
(5) 
Fees for solemnization of marriages and civil unions and issuance of vital records.
[Added 3-9-2009 by Ord. No. 4-2009]
(a) 
Collect, and deposit into the municipal treasury, all fees collected in connection with: the solemnization of marriages and civil unions by the Mayor or Acting Mayor; and the issuance of vital records. All fees shall be set by resolution and adopted by the Township Council annually.
(b) 
Military personnel shall be exempt from the fee set forth in Subsection B(5)(a). Said personnel shall provide proof of service to the Registrar of Vital Statistics prior to the ceremony.
[Added 8-31-2009 by Ord. No. 17-2009]
C. 
Division of Welfare. Within the Department there shall be a Division of Welfare, the head of which shall be the Director of Welfare, who shall be appointed by the Township Manager pursuant to law. The Director shall:
[Amended 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 1696-94]
(1) 
Administer laws and ordinances relating to relief of the needy, including aid to needy persons who are eligible for public assistance provided through county and state agencies.
(2) 
Provide or arrange for temporary shelter and custodial care to dependent and homeless persons.
(3) 
Enter into and perform cooperative agreements with other public agencies and voluntary charitable organizations and services relating to the functions of the Division.
[Added 2-28-1977 by Ord. No. 861]
A. 
There shall be a Department of Community Development, the head of which shall be the Director. Prior to his appointment, he shall be qualified by training and experience in the field of municipal planning and/or municipal administration. He shall assign duties and responsibilities among the employees of the Department and make and communicate to said employees all internal policies, procedures, rules, regulations and organizational structure of the Department, subject to all requirements of law. He shall coordinate the work of the Department with the work of the other departments of the Township government. He shall also have the title, functions and powers of the Zoning Officer,[1] except that he may instead appoint another member of the Department as Zoning Officer.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 180, Zoning.
B. 
Department functions generally. The Department of Community Development shall:
(1) 
Administer all ordinances, resolutions and other regulations and measures of the Township relating to municipal land use control, except for such administrative functions assigned or allocated by law to other municipal offices, agencies and/or bodies.
(2) 
Render assistance, in connection with its functions under Subsection B(1) above, to other offices, agencies and bodies of the Township, including the preparation of agendas, conducting fact research and investigations and liaison with the Township Attorney, Zoning Officer, Township Manager and his staff and other members of the administrative service of the Township.
(3) 
Administer the Zoning Ordinance of the Township,[2] which administration shall be carried out by the Zoning Officer.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 180, Zoning.
(4) 
Administer such other duties and functions as shall be assigned to it by the Manager.
C. 
Division of Construction and Inspections. Within the Department there shall be a Division of Construction and Inspections, the head of which shall be the Construction Code Official. Under the supervision of the Construction Code Official, the Division shall:
[Amended 3-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1463-89; 2-8-2021 by Ord. No. 3-2021]
(1) 
Administer the Building Code of the Township.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 56, Construction Codes, Uniform.
(2) 
Administer and enforce the provisions of all township housing codes, heating codes and fire alarm and prevention services (exclusive of the functions, powers and duties vested by law in the existing Fire Districts) and make building, plumbing and other inspections as required for such purposes.
(3) 
Conduct and administer such inspections and enforcement proceedings as are authorized by the ordinances and laws under its administration. It shall, to the extent practicable, consolidate and coordinate all regulatory inspections relating to the construction, maintenance, use and occupancy of buildings and structures which are not vested in any other department or division by this chapter and shall, to the extent practicable, provide for cooperative inspection and enforcement with such regulatory inspections as may be vested in any other department or public agency.
(4) 
Administer such other duties and functions as shall be assigned to it by the Director or the Manager.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D, Economic Development Advisory Committee, was relocated as a new § 6-45.6, Economic Development Advisory Committee, 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. 25-2022, as amended.