There is hereby created the office of Municipal Attorney.
The Municipal Attorney shall be appointed by the Township Committee
by a majority vote of its members. He shall be an attorney at law of New Jersey
but need not be a resident of the township. In lieu of appointing an individual
Attorney, the Township Committee may appoint a firm of attorneys, all members
of which shall be attorneys at law of New Jersey.
The Attorney shall not receive a fixed salary but shall be paid reasonable
fees and charges for each item of work performed by him commensurate with
the standards for such charges in the community.
A.
The Attorney shall have such powers and perform such
duties as are provided for the office of Municipal Attorney by general law
or ordinance of the township. He shall represent the township 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. He shall give all legal counsel
and advice where required by the Township Committee or any member thereof
and shall in general serve as the legal advisor to the Township Committee
on all matters of township business.
B.
In furtherance of such general powers and duties, but
without limitation thereto, the Municipal Attorney shall:
(1)
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.
(2)
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 Committee.
(3)
Subject to the approval of the Township Committee, have
power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation
in which the township is involved.
(4)
Render opinions, in writing, upon any question of law
submitted to him by the Township Committee, or any member thereof, with respect
to its official powers and duties and shall perform such duties as may be
necessary to provide legal counsel to the Township Committee in the administration
of municipal affairs.
(5)
Supervise and direct the work of such additional attorneys
and technical and professional assistants as the Township Committee may authorize
for special or regular employment in or for the municipality.
(6)
Attend all regular meetings of the Township Committee
and such special meetings as the Committee shall direct.
(7)
Advise and assist and render opinions, in writing, to
any of the municipal officers in connection with the conduct of their office.
