Township of Morris, NJ Administrator

The Township Administrator shall be appointed by the Township Committee, and the term of office of the Township Administrator shall be one year, initially. All subsequent appointments shall be for a term of three years.

Any vacancy in said office shall be filled by appointment of the Township Committee.

Absence or disability. During the absence or disability of the duly appointed Township Administrator, the Township Committee of the Township of Morris may, by resolution, appoint an officer or regular employee of the municipality to perform such duties of the Township Administrator during such absence or disability. Such absence or disability shall be limited to three months, after which time such absence or disability may be deemed a vacancy.

The Township Administrator may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Township Committee of the Township of Morris. The resolution of removal shall become effective three months after its adoption by the Township Committee of the Township of Morris. The Township Committee of the Township of Morris may provide that the resolution shall have immediate effect; provided, however, that the Township Committee of the Township of Morris shall cause to be paid to the Administrator forthwith any unpaid balances of his salary and his salary for the next three calendar months following adoption of the resolution.

[Amended 6-17-2015 by Ord. No. 20-15]

The Township Administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the Township of Morris, and he shall be responsible to the Township Committee as a whole for the proper and efficient administration of the business affairs of the Township. His duties and responsibilities shall relate to the general management of all Township business, excepting therefrom those duties and responsibilities conferred upon other Township officials by state statute, other applicable laws, rules and regulations promulgated by state and county agencies, case decision or ordinance of the Township of Morris.

Administrative supervision and direction. The Administrator shall coordinate the business activities of all municipal departments and shall be authorized to require that all department heads submit to him periodic reports on the operation of their departments. All municipal departments, except where expressly prohibited by law, shall be subject to his direction and supervision.

Personnel and appointments. The Administrator shall:

(1)

Serve as the Personnel Officer of the Township.

(2)

After consultation with the appropriate department head and the governing body, authorize the hiring, removal or suspension of any Township employee, with the exception of any sworn member of the Police Department.

[Amended 8-20-2008 by Ord. No. 24-08]

(3)

Be responsible for the maintenance and enforcement of sound personnel policies and practices.

(4)

Establish and maintain sick leave, vacation schedules and personnel records for each Township employee.

(5)

Review the Township's departmental structure and make appropriate recommendations, when necessary, for any change in the Table of Organization.

Purchasing.

(1)

The Township Administrator, in the absence of the appointment of a qualified purchasing agent, shall be the purchasing agent for the Township of Morris. He shall review the purchasing practices and policies of the Township and issue rules and regulations governing the requisition and purchase of all municipal supplies and equipment. He shall keep an account of all purchases and shall from time to time or when directed by the Township Committee make a full report thereof.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

(2)

The Township Committee may appoint or designate a person to assist the Township Administrator in his function as purchasing agent. Such assistant shall be charged with the duties and have the authority hereinabove conferred. While acting pursuant to such appointment, the assistant shall have the title of purchasing agent. Such person shall report to and act under the supervision of the Township Administrator.

[Added 3-23-1994 by Ord. No. 2-94]

Budget preparation. The municipal budget shall be prepared by the Administrator. In preparing the proposed budget, the Township Administrator or an officer designated by him shall obtain from the head of each department, agency, board or office estimates of revenues and expenditures and other supporting data as he requests for the ensuing budget year.

Budget documentation. Upon the basis of the departmental requests, the budget hearings, the Administrator's analysis of the needs and resources of the Township, and such policy guides as may be prescribed by the Township Committee, the Administrator shall prepare his recommended budget in the form required by general law for municipal budgets. This document shall consist of:

(1)

The recommended budget, including the departmental estimates and the appropriations and expenditures for each account during the previous year.

(2)

A budget message.

General powers and duties shall be to:

(1)

Attend all meetings of the Township Committee and other such meetings as directed, with the right to take part in the discussions but without the right to vote.

(2)

Keep the Township Committee informed as to the conduct of the Township affairs. He shall submit periodic reports, either in writing or orally, on the condition of the Township affairs and finances and such other reports, either in writing or orally, as the Township Committee shall request. He shall make such recommendations to the Township Committee as he deems necessary and advisable for the welfare of the Township.

(3)

Keep the Township Committee informed about federal and state aid projects and any other aid programs for which the Township of Morris may qualify.

(4)

In cooperation with all department heads, conduct studies of all activities and operations of Township government and recommend to the Township Committee changes for the purpose of increasing efficiency, economy and effectiveness in operations.

(5)

Study, recommend, implement and enforce procedures and policies for the compiling, editing and prompt dissemination and release of public information upon the recommendation and authorization of the Township Committee.

(6)

See that the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and privileges granted by the Township are complied with by action of the proper municipal official and, upon knowledge of any violation or breach, call the same to the attention of the Township Committee.

(7)

Recommend the employment of consultants to perform work and render advice on special projects in the Township subject to approval by the Township Committee.

(8)

Review all complaints regarding the functions, obligations, services or personnel of the Township not specifically addressed to any other official in the Township. He or an officer designated by him shall investigate and dispose of such complaints and keep a written record of such complaints and when and what action was taken in response thereto and provide to the Township Committee a copy thereof upon request.

(9)

Coordinate the activities related to the letting of contracts and supervise the performance and execution of the same, except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed upon some other Township officer or official by statute.

(10)

Promptly receive copies from the Township Clerk of all general and official correspondence addressed to the Township of Morris or the Township Committee.

(11)

In cooperation with the Township Clerk, formulate the agenda for each executive meeting of the Township Committee and supply facts pertinent thereto to the Township Committee.