A. 
There shall be a Department of Law, which shall encompass all legal support activities for the Borough's governing body. The head of the Department of Law shall be the Borough Solicitor who shall be a New Jersey licensed attorney, qualified by training and experience in municipal legal activities.
B. 
The Borough Solicitor shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, for the term of one year. The Solicitor need not be a resident of the Borough. The Solicitor shall receive a fixed salary and shall, in addition, be paid such fees and charges as shall be deemed reasonable for services beyond the basic requirements of the position.
C. 
The Department of Law shall include the Municipal Prosecutor, and special attorneys hired from time to time to handle particular specialized tasks, as well as the liaison duties as delineated at § 10-50J.
D. 
The Department of Law shall report to the Mayor and Council through the office of the Borough Administrator on all administrative matters. With regard to legal matters, the Borough Solicitor shall conform to the provisions of § 10-50 and may communicate with the Mayor, Council and Borough officials and employees as the Borough Solicitor deems appropriate to effectively represent the Borough.
The Borough Solicitor shall have such powers and perform such duties as are provided for the Office of Borough Attorney by general law or ordinances of the Borough. He shall be the primary representative of the Borough in all judicial and administrative proceedings in which the municipality or any of its officers or agencies may be a party or have an interest, subject to the discretion of Mayor and Council to designate the attorney of record on behalf of the municipality in any legal action as is deemed appropriate by said Mayor and Council. In furtherance of such general powers and duties, but without limitation thereto, the Borough Solicitor shall:
A. 
Advise the Mayor, members of Council, Borough Clerk, Borough Administrator and other Borough officers of the Borough in all matters of law relevant to their official duties.
B. 
Draft or approve and/or review, as directed by Mayor and Council, as to form and sufficiency all legal documents, contracts, deeds, ordinances and resolutions to be executed or adopted by or on behalf of the Borough.
C. 
With the approval of the Council, conduct appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest of the Borough as he may, in his discretion, determine to be necessary or desirable, or as directed by the Mayor and Council.
D. 
Subject to the approval of the Council, enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation in which the Borough is involved.
E. 
Render opinions orally and/or in writing when requested upon any question of law dealing with Borough business, which are submitted to him by the Mayor, Borough Council or other Borough officers and employees.
F. 
Maintain a record of all actions, suits, proceedings and matters, directly handled by the Borough Solicitor, and monitor all other matters which relate to the Borough's interest and report thereon as the Mayor and Council may require.
G. 
Recommend for appointment attorneys to fill the positions of Borough Prosecutor and Public Defender.
H. 
Coordinate, review and make suggestions, where appropriate, concerning the work of such additional attorneys and technical and professional assistants as the Council may authorize for special or regular employment in or for the Borough.
I. 
Prepare budgets and review requests for payment to persons in the Department of Law before submission of same to Council for payment.
J. 
Serve as the Borough's legal liaison to all independent boards and bodies within the Borough and report to Council on administrative, monetary and legal issues facing such boards and bodies.
K. 
Monitor new legislation and court decisions, which may impact the functions, operations and/or the Code of the Borough, and recommend appropriate action.
A. 
All original papers, documents, memorandums, reports, Borough files, ordinance books, Borough maps and other documents belonging to the Borough, relating to the administration of the Department of Law and/or the Borough Solicitor's representation of the Borough, shall be and remain the property of the Borough. Upon termination of his service with the Borough, the Borough Solicitor shall forthwith surrender all such property to the Borough. The Solicitor's legal files shall be retained by him, after removal and submission of the Borough's property to the Borough, and convenient access to the Solicitor's files shall be given to the Borough and to its designated officials.
B. 
The retiring Solicitor shall submit a written consent to substitution of his successor in all legal matters and proceedings pending to which the Borough is party. However, Borough Council may permit the former Borough Solicitor to remain as attorney of record to represent the Borough in those matters which Borough Council feels is in the best interest of the Borough.