There shall be a City Attorney of the City of Bordentown who
shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners by a majority vote
of its members for a term of one year from the first day of January
of the year of his appointment and until his successor has been appointed
and qualified. He shall be an attorney-at-law of the State of New
Jersey but need not be a resident of the city. In lieu of appointing
an individual, the Commission may appoint a firm of attorneys, all
members of which shall be attorneys-at-law of the State of New Jersey.
The City Attorney shall not receive a fixed salary but shall be paid
such retainer and hourly rate as may be agreed upon and authorized
by the Board of Commissioners, plus such fees and charges as shall
be deemed reasonable. The appointment of the City Attorney shall be
by resolution duly adopted pursuant to the Local Public Contracts
Law.
The City Attorney shall have such powers and perform such duties
as are provided for the office of City Attorney by general law or
ordinances of the city. He shall represent the city 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 Board of Commissioners
and shall in general serve as the legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners
on all matters of city business. In furtherance of such general powers
and duties, but without limitation thereto, the City Attorney shall:
A. 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.
B. Conduct
appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest
of the city as he may, in his discretion, determine to be necessary
or desirable or as shall be directed by the Board of Commissioners.
C. Subject
to the approval of the Board of Commissioners, have power to enter
into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation in
which the city is involved.
D. Render
opinions in writing upon any question of law submitted to him by the
Board of Commissioners or any member thereof with respect to his official
powers and duties and perform such duties as may be necessary to provide
legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners in the administration
of municipal affairs.
E. Supervise
and direct the work of such additional attorneys and technical and
professional assistants as the Board of Commissioners may authorize
for special or regular employment in or for the municipality.