Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 44:8-114, the Township of Lower
does hereby create a Local Assistance Board, which shall administer the provisions
of public assistance to all persons eligible thereto, in accordance with the
General Public Assistance Law of the State of New Jersey.
The Local Assistance Board of the Township of Lower shall be composed
of five members, with at least two such members being women. Each member shall
be appointed by the Township Manager upon the approval of the Township Council
and shall serve without compensation but shall be allowed their necessary
and actual expenses.
The term of one member of the Local Assistance Board shall be for one
year and such member only may be appointed from among the membership of the
Township Council. The initial terms of the other four members shall be as
follows: one member shall serve for one year; one member shall serve for two
years; one member shall serve for three years; and one member shall serve
for four years. All subsequent terms of these four members shall be four years
each, with one term expiring in each year. 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. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms only. The
members who currently comprise the Local Assistance Board shall retain their
positions until January 1, 1988, at which time all positions on said Board
shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of this section.
The Local Assistance Board of the Township of Lower shall organize and
select a Chairman and a Secretary and shall appoint a Director of Welfare
who shall be the first executive and administrative officer of the Board.
He or she 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 approval by the Township Council. Nothing herein shall be
construed to make the Overseer of the Poor of the Township of Lower ineligible
for appointment, also as the Director of Welfare by the Lower Township Local
Assistance Board. In case of vacancy in the office of the Director of Welfare,
one temporary or acting director may be appointed for a term of not more than
90 days. Other employees, including assistants, clerks, investigators, and
nurses, in such number as may be necessary to properly administer public assistance,
shall be appointed in the same manner as other employees in the Township of
Lower. None of the aforementioned employees whose compensation is paid from
funds received or appropriated for public assistance or the administration
thereof in any manner shall hold any office in any political party.
The Director of Welfare of the Township of Lower shall have the following
duties:
A. Supervise by periodic investigation every person receiving
public assistance, such investigation to be made by visitation at least once
a month;
B. 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. 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. Keep full and complete records of such investigation,
supervision, assistance and rehabilitation, and of all certifications of persons
for employment or benefits and the cancellations thereof, in such manner and
form as required by the Commissioner;
E. Bring about appropriate action for commitment to any
state or county institution when the best interest of a needy person would
be so served.