[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Lower by Ord. No. 87-21 (Sec. 2A-13 of the 1975 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Administration of government — See Ch. 3.
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 44:8-107 et seq.
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.