There is hereby created the office of Township
Attorney.
The Attorney shall be appointed by the Council
for the term hereinafter prescribed.
[Amended 9-9-2013 by Ord.
No. 2013-9]
The Attorney shall hold office for a term of one year from January
1 of the year of his appointment and until his successor has been
appointed.
The Attorney need not be a resident of the Township.
In lieu of appointing an individual as Attorney, the Council may appoint
a firm of attorneys. The Attorney or, where the Attorney is a firm
of attorneys, each individual member of the firm shall be an attorney
and counselor at law of the State of New Jersey in good standing with
practical experience in the representation of municipalities.
The Attorney shall not receive a fixed salary,
but shall be paid for such services as he shall perform in accordance
with a schedule of fees and charges to be established by the Township
Council by resolution.
The Attorney shall have such powers and perform
such duties as are provided for the office of Municipal Attorney by
general law or ordinances to the Township. He shall represent the
Township in all judicial and administrative proceedings in which the
Township or its officers or agencies, except those having their own
solicitor, may be a party or have an interest. He shall give all legal
counsel and advice where required by the Township Council or any member
thereto and shall, in general, serve as the legal advisor to the Township
Council on all matters of Township business. In furtherance of such
general powers and duties, but without limitation thereto, the Municipal
Attorney shall:
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 municipality.
B.
Conduct appeals from orders, decisions or judgments
affecting any interest of the Township as he may, in his discretion,
determine to be necessary or desirable or as directed by the Township
Council.
C.
Subject to the approval of the Township Council, have
power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement on any
litigation in which the Township is involved.
D.
Render opinions, in writing, upon any question of
law submitted to him by the Township Council or any member thereof
with respect to his official powers and duties and shall perform such
duties as may be necessary to provide legal counsel to the Township
Council in the administration of municipal affairs.
E.
Supervise and direct the work of such additional attorneys
and technical and professional assistants as the Township Council
may authorize for special or regular employment in or for the municipality.
F.
Attend all regular meetings of the Township Council
and such special meetings as the Council shall direct.
G.
Advise and assist and render opinions, in writing,
to any of the Township officers in connection with the conduct of
his office.
