[Adopted 8-20-1979 by Ord. No. 79-20]
[Amended 2-2-1981 by Ord. No. 81-2; 1-29-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-04]
A. 
There is hereby established a Senior Citizens Commission for the Borough of Metuchen which shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. No person shall be appointed to the Senior Citizens Commission unless he or she is a resident of the Borough of Metuchen.
B. 
Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years; however, at the time of the creation of the Commission, three shall be appointed for three years, three shall be appointed for two years and three shall be appointed for one year. Thereafter, each appointment shall be for three years. Members shall serve after the expiration of their terms until the respective successors shall have been appointed and have qualified.
C. 
Vacancies occurring other than by the expiration of the term shall be filled in like manner but for the balance of the unexpired term only.
D. 
The Commission shall designate one of its members as Chairperson, and he or she shall serve as such until the first day of January next following the appointment and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualify. All members shall serve without compensation.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To establish, amend and rescind its own bylaws in accordance with the law and not inconsistent with any municipal ordinance, regulation or state or federal law.
B. 
To make recommendations to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Metuchen, the Recreation Commission, the Metuchen Pool Commission, the Board of Health, the Cultural Arts Commission, Environmental Commission, Library Board and any other board, commission, committee or agency of the Borough of Metuchen in respect to policies and programs to assist the senior citizens of the Borough.
C. 
To confer with all the above mentioned agencies and any county, state, federal and private agencies involved in programs for senior citizens for the purpose not only of determining the scope of the programs, but improving the services rendered to the senior citizens, and help any such agency to coordinate activities for the senior citizens.
D. 
To aid and direct where necessary, individual senior citizens where help is sought in connection with recreation, housing, health, consumer problems, educational and cultural opportunities.
E. 
To make annual reports of its activities and recommendations to the Borough Council and at such other times as the Borough Council shall request or the Commission deems advisable.
F. 
To act as liaison between the Borough and its agencies with senior citizens organizations and individuals.