There is hereby established a Local Assistance
Board pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:8-115.
A.
The Local Assistance Board shall consist of three members,
who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of
the Borough Council. Members of the Local Assistance Board shall serve
without compensation, but shall be allowed their necessary and actual
expenses.
B.
At least one of the members of the Local Assistance
Board shall be a woman. The term of one member of the Local Assistance
Board shall be for one year, and such member may be appointed from
among the membership of the governing body. The terms of the remaining
members of the Local Assistance Board shall be two years each, provided
that appointments shall be made so that the terms are expiring in
alternate years.
C.
The term of each member of the Local Assistance Board
shall begin on the first day of January, and each member shall continue
in office until his or her successor shall be appointed and shall
qualify. Any vacancies which occur before the expiration of a term
of office shall be filled only for the unexpired term.
The Local Assistance Board shall organize and
select a Chairperson and Secretary, and shall appoint a Director of
Welfare who shall be the first executive and administrative officer
of the Board. The Director of Welfare shall hold office for a term
of five years from the date of his or her appointment and shall be
paid such salary as may be fixed by such Board, subject to the approval
of the Borough Council.
The Director of Welfare shall have the following
duties:
A.
To supervise, by periodic investigation, every person
receiving public assistance, such investigation to be made by visitation
at least once a month.
B.
To reconsider, from month to month, the amount and
nature of public assistance given and alter, amend or suspend the
same when the circumstances so require.
C.
To devise ways and means for bringing persons unable
to maintain themselves to self-support or to the support of any other
person or agency able and willing so to do.
D.
To keep full and complete records or such investigations,
supervision, assistance and rehabilitation and of all certifications
of persons for employment or benefits and cancellations thereof in
such manner and form as required by the Commissioner of the Department
of Human Services.
E.
To bring about appropriate action for commitment to
any state or county institution when the best interest of the needy
person would be so deserved.
The Local Assistance Board is authorized to
provide burial expenses for Borough residents who die without insurance
or adequate funds for burial. Burial expenses can be made on behalf
of Borough residents who are welfare clients, as well as those who
are poor but not on any public assistance program. The allowance for
burial expenses shall not exceed the expenses allowed by the Department
of Human Services as set forth in N.J.A.C. 10:85-4.8(a)2.
The Local Assistance Board shall have the powers
and perform the duties prescribed by general law and ordinance, and
shall appoint a Director of Welfare pursuant to the state law.
