Alcoholism and drug abuse are significant community health issues. The Township has addressed such issues through various substance abuse education, prevention and public awareness programs. It is recognized that attainment of the goal of reducing alcoholism and drug abuse in our community will be fostered by cooperation and active participation by the Township with those county and state agencies established to address such problems. Therefore, the Township reaffirms its policy to promote the health, safety, morals and welfare of the citizens of the Township by the creation of the Township Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for the purpose of supplementing existing substance abuse education, prevention and public awareness programs.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
COMMITTEE
The Township Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
[Amended 6-22-1994 by Ord. No. 94-023]
There is hereby created a Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2BB-9, consisting of 11 members. The following individuals shall serve as ex officio members of the Committee: the Mayor, the Chief of the Division of Police, the Presiding Judge of the Township Municipal Court and the Superintendent of the Township School District. Designees of ex officio members may attend meetings of the Committee on behalf of said ex officio member, which designees are empowered to vote on all matters before the Committee. Seven private citizens who reside in the Township shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, selected on the basis of their qualifications and fitness for service on the Committee. Committee members shall serve without compensation.
The terms of the private citizen members of the Committee shall be three years, except that, of those first appointed, one shall serve a three-year term, one shall serve a two-year term and one shall serve a one-year term. The terms of the private citizen members shall continue until their respective successors are appointed.
Any member of the Committee may be removed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council for cause on written charges served upon the person, and after a hearing thereon, where the person shall be entitled to be heard and present evidence in person or by counsel.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2BB-7, the Committee shall identify alcoholism and drug abuse prevention, education and community needs in the Township in consultation with the county local advisory committee on alcoholism and drug abuse; implement programs established via the county annual alliance plan; and seek funds in conjunction with the Council from appropriate county and state authorities in support of substance abuse programs.
The Committee shall organize at its first meeting, which shall be held within 30 days of appointment of all Committee members as set forth in this article, at which time the Committee shall select a Chairperson and Secretary as provided for in this article and provide for regular meetings at a time and place within the Township.
[Amended 6-5-2008 by Ord. No. 08-033]
There shall be a Chairperson of the Committee elected by its members, who shall serve for a one-year period and until a successor is selected by the Committee. There shall be a Secretary of the Committee appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. The Secretary shall serve for a one-year term.
The Committee shall conduct its regular meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. Accurate minutes of all meetings shall be kept and filed with the Secretary of the Committee.
A majority of the whole number of regular members shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present one hour after the appointed time for any meeting, the presiding officer shall declare the meeting adjourned.
The Committee shall make a semiannual report to the Mayor of its activities, including receipt and disbursement of funds.
The Township Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse shall be appointed pursuant to and have such authority provided by N.J.S.A. 26:2BB-9 and by other ordinances of the Township applicable thereto.