[HISTORY:[1] Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Hanover 9-24-2009 by Ord. No. 12-09.[2] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 21, Emergency Medical Services Finance Board, adopted 10-12-2006 by Ord. No. 25-2006, was removed from the Code at the request of the Township. The provisions of former Ch. 21 were replaced by an interlocal services agreement by and between the Township and Fire Districts No. 2 and 3.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 123 but was renumbered in order to maintain the organization of the Code.
A. 
In order to foster the economic development needs of the Township, stimulate economic growth, both in terms of new economic development and the retention of existing commercial businesses and industries, the Township Committee hereby establishes the Hanover Township Economic Development Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred as the "EDAC." The EDAC shall be advisory in nature and provide the governing body with recommendations in addressing the economic development needs of the Township. The EDAC shall serve as a liaison between the Township's government and businesses as well as reaching out to prospective commercial businesses and industries seeking to become a member of the Hanover Township corporate community.
B. 
Upon the request of the Township Committee, the EDAC may also initiate studies to analyze the potential and rational economic development of the Township and identify those resources in attracting businesses to relocate to the Hanover Township community.
[Amended 2-25-2010 by Ord. No. 5-10; 2-9-2023 by Ord. No. 5-2023]
A. 
Regular membership. The Township Committee shall appoint 14 regular members to EDAC, two of whom shall be the Mayor and Director of Planning, consistent with their assignments as members of the governing body and serving as the Class I and Class III members on the Planning Board. The governing body shall also appoint two ex-officio nonvoting members. The regular members shall be selected based on their knowledge, expertise and experience as members of the commercial and industrial business community and shall reside in, work or maintain a place of business in the Township.
B. 
Membership composition. The regular members of the EDAC shall represent a cross-section of the corporate, commercial and industrial business community including representation, if possible, from various Township community service organizations.
C. 
Ex-officio members. The two ex-officio, nonvoting members shall consist of the Business Administrator or his/her designee and the Township Planner.
D. 
Alternate members. The Township Committee shall appoint two alternate members who have expressed an interest in the goals of the EDAC, and who have a basic understanding of the economic needs of the Township. The alternate members shall not exercise a right to vote on issues except when one or more regular members are absent from a meeting. The order of priority of the alternate members shall be Alternate 1 and Alternate 2 in order to determine priority of voting in lieu of regular members who are absent from meetings.
E. 
Terms of office.
(1) 
The initial term of office of the regular members and two alternate members shall commence following the adoption of this ordinance[1] and their appointments by the Township Committee at a subsequent regular, open public meeting of the governing body which terms shall expire on December 31, 2024. Thereafter, the regular members and the two alternate members shall be appointed to two-year terms of office commencing January 1 of the first year through December 31 of the second year.
[1]
Editor's Note: "This ordinance" refers to Ord. No. 5-2023, adopted 2-9-2023.
(2) 
The Mayor and Director of Planning, however, shall only serve one-year terms of office consistent with their assignments as the Class I and Class III members to the Planning Board.
(3) 
The ex-officio, nonvoting members shall also serve one-year terms of office consistent with the appointment schedule described above.
F. 
Vacancies. In the event a regular, ex-officio or alternate member seat becomes vacant, other than by expiration of a member's term, it shall be filled for the balance of the two-year term.
G. 
Appointment of EDAC Internal Coordinator. There is hereby created the nonsalaried position of EDAC Internal Coordinator who shall be a member of the Department of Administration. As part of his/her duties as a Department of Administration staff member, the EDAC Internal Coordinator shall assist the EDAC in coordinating, administering and developing programs, activities and project in accordance with the goals and objectives of EDAC.
A. 
To monitor the current state of the Township's economy and to explore ways to stimulate economic growth and development.
B. 
To actively promote and seek businesses which are financially sound, environmentally clean and have good growth potential.
C. 
To work in creating, maintaining and implementing a positive business climate that fosters a strong economic community by developing a strategic plan, consistent with the Township's Master Plan, which will result in sustainable business growth, the creation of more local jobs and provide new municipal tax revenue sources with minimal impact on municipal services.
D. 
To determine, where applicable, new and improved modes of transportation to reduce vehicle trips and recommend ways to initiate a more efficient transportation infrastructure as it impacts potential economic growth issues and consumer convenience.
E. 
To consult and communicate with the Township Committee, Planning Board and other Township departments concerning land use issues that may have an impact upon development in the Township as it affects economic growth issues and consumer convenience. This may also include recommendations concerning changes to land use and zoning regulations that could impact economic growth.
F. 
With the prior approval of the Township Committee, to design, produce and distribute marketing, advertising and public relations materials that promote the economic and business location advantages, land development opportunities and/or property leasing availability within the Township that make it a viable place to locate.
G. 
To identify and classify by utilizing an updated inventory list, map or visual aids all improved and unimproved commercial and industrial lands, depicting their permitted uses within the Township and, as a method of determining their current and potential tax status as a way of measuring their utility, the adaptability and potential advantages for development, redevelopment or rehabilitation.
H. 
To create an information guide to assist businesses interested in relocating to Hanover Township.
I. 
To assist the Township's Department of Administration in the research and preparation of applications for grants or funding which fosters economic development.
J. 
To perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the governing body.
K. 
To prepare biannual reports to be submitted to the Township Committee setting forth in detail its achievements and recommendations covering the preceding six months.
Other than the duties and responsibilities enumerated above, the EDAC shall not have the power to enter into contracts, create debt or take property by condemnation or eminent domain. Furthermore, no member of the EDAC shall receive or accept any fees, compensation or other goods of value from any corporation, partnership, professional firm, vendor or merchant engaging in any transactions with the EDAC.
A. 
The members of the EDAC shall annually choose from among its regular voting members a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.
B. 
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining correspondence, memoranda and preparing written minutes of all EDAC meetings. However, in accordance with Township policy, before any correspondence or memoranda is sent under the auspices of the EDAC, any draft letter or memoranda shall be submitted to the Business Administrator for the review and approval of the governing body.
C. 
Organization. The EDAC shall meet in January of each year to organize or reorganize, and, at that time, determine when it shall meet and how often. In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act,[1] the EDAC shall publish a notice in two local newspapers, posted on the Township's official bulletin board and filed with the Municipal Clerk. The annual notice shall contain the dates, times and locations of each meeting to be held during the forthcoming year.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
Members and officers of the EDAC shall serve without compensation except that the Township Committee may reimburse members for incurring legitimate out-of-pocket expenses in the discharge of EDAC duties and responsibilities such as the development of presentation and marketing materials, flyers, brochures and correspondence. Members of the EDAC must first receive the approval of the Business Administrator or, in his or her absence, the Township's Chief Municipal Finance Officer before any out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel mileage) are incurred. If approved, and following such expenditure, EDAC members shall certify and complete an official Township voucher providing a full description and itemization of their expenses.
Before assuming office, each member and officer of the EDAC shall take an oath that he/she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his/her office.
The Township Committee may appropriate such sum of money as may be determined in each year's current fund operating budget in order for the EDAC to discharge its duties and responsibilities. The EDAC shall submit a request for funding to the Business Administrator no later than January 10 of each year or earlier, if requested. Any approved out-of-pocket expenses shall be charged against the EDAC's approved calendar year budget if such budgetary appropriation is granted by the Township Committee.