[Adopted 3-27-2012 by Ord. No. 12-02]
There is hereby created the Economic Development Committee of the Borough of Raritan.
The Economic Development Committee shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members who shall be appointed by the Mayor. The alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and Alternate No. 2." Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to participate, Alternate No. 1 shall participate.
A. 
Members of the Economic Development Committee shall serve for three-year terms, except that the Mayor may appoint the initial members for one-, two- or three-year terms.
B. 
If a vacancy in any term occurs other than by expiration of the term, it shall be filled by Mayoral appointment for the unexpired term.
C. 
The members of the Economic Development Committee shall serve without compensation.
D. 
The Mayor shall choose, from among the members of the Economic Development Committee, a Chairman and such other officers as he/she may deem necessary. The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall be an ex officio member of the Committee.
The Mayor or Borough Council may remove any member of the Economic Development Committee for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
The Economic Development Committee shall meet once a month. During its first six months of operation, the Committee shall develop a mission statement and goals for the year, both to be subject to the approval of the Mayor. A majority of the seven members shall constitute a quorum of the Committee.
The duties of the Economic Development Committee shall be as follows:
A. 
To study and analyze the various commercial and industrial organizations of the nation with a view toward ascertaining opportunities for the business, commercial and industrial expansion of the Borough.
B. 
To advertise the business, commercial and industrial advantages and opportunities of the Borough and the availability of land within the Borough for business, commercial and industrial use.
C. 
To solicit business, commercial and industrial organizations to purchase or lease in the Borough.
D. 
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee shall include consideration of the quality-of-life implications of any economic activity.
E. 
In any decision to encourage a particular economic activity, the Committee shall consider the extent to which that activity will provide employment opportunities and stable employment.
F. 
To recommend to the Borough Council and the Planning Board desirable and suitable areas within the Borough for the location of business, commerce and industry.
G. 
To recommend to the Borough Council and the Planning Board reasonable and desirable restrictions concerning business, commercial and industrial sites.
H. 
To encourage expansion of existing and potential business, commerce and industry to the best interest of the Borough.
I. 
To prepare and disseminate material and data advertising the advantages of the Borough to new business, commerce and industry.
The Economic Development Committee shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Borough Council at the first regular meeting of the Borough Council in October of each year.
The Economic Development Committee shall receive from all officers and official bodies of the Borough such assistance as may be required by it in performing its duties, and the Economic Development Committee shall have access to all Borough public information and records which may assist it in the performance of its duties.
There shall be appropriated by the Borough Council annually such sum as it may determine to be necessary for the purpose of fulfilling the duties and objectives of the Economic Development Committee.