[Adopted 12-26-1975 by Ord. No. 700 as § 2-12 of
the 1975 Revised General Ordinances (Ch. 49 of the 1986 Code)]
[Amended 12-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-26; 11-30-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-9]
A.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:8-115, there shall be a Local Assistance
Board of the Borough composed of five members, at least one of them
a woman, appointed by the Mayor upon approval of the Council. The
term of one member of the Board shall be for one year, and that member
only may be appointed from among the Council members. The terms of
the other members shall be four years each, one term expiring in each
year.
B.
The Local Assistance Board shall have the powers and perform the
duties prescribed by general law and ordinance and shall appoint a
Director of Welfare pursuant to state law.
C.
The Mayor and Council may determine that the most effective and efficient
manner of providing welfare, public assistance, and/or social services
to the residents of the Borough of Wood-Ridge is through entering
into an interlocal services agreement with the County of Bergen and
the Bergen County Board of Social Services.
D.
In the event that the above § 10-3C is implemented by the Mayor and Council, then, on the date the County commences services for the Borough, the Local Assistance Board, the Welfare Office, and the position of Welfare Director shall cease to operate and shall be abolished, and all other provisions of this article shall be null and void. The Welfare Director may be retained for a period of time not exceeding 90 days following the commencement of the County service to assist with the transition to the County.
A.
The Local Assistance Board shall appoint a Director of Welfare, who
shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of his appointment
and shall be paid a salary fixed by the Board, subject to approval
of the Council.[1]
B.
The Director of Welfare shall be the first executive and administrative
officer of the Board. He shall:
(1)
Supervise by periodic investigation every person receiving public
assistance, such investigation to be made by visitation at least once
a month.
(2)
Reconsider from month to month the amount and nature of public assistance
given, and alter, amend or suspend assistance when the circumstances
so require.
(3)
Devise ways and means for bringing persons unable to maintain themselves
to self-support or to the support of any other person or agency able
and willing to do so.
(4)
Keep full and complete records of investigations, supervision, assistance
and rehabilitation and of all certifications of persons for employment
or benefits and cancellations thereof.
(5)
Bring about appropriate action for commitment to any state or county
institution when the best interest of the needy persons would be so
served.
(6)
Render immediate public assistance to any needy person found in the
Borough, subject to determination and adjustment of responsibility
as provided by law.
(7)
Inquire into the facts, conditions and circumstances of a person
applying for public assistance, including legal residence, family
connections, living conditions, resources and income, the direct and
indirect causes of the person's need, and such other matters as may
be required by law, making a written record thereof.
(8)
By written order, render such aid and material assistance as he deems
necessary, in his discretion and reasonable inquiry, to the end that
a person shall not suffer unnecessarily from cold, hunger or sickness
or be deprived of shelter pending further certification of the case,
and determine after completing his investigation whether continued
assistance is necessary, making such order as in his judgment is warranted,
having due regard to the circumstances disclosed by the investigation.
(9)
Revoke any continued order for assistance whenever it appears that
the person receiving it is no longer needy or will otherwise be provided
for.
(10)
Develop guidelines and implement procedures to effect a general assistance
employability (workfare) program in the Borough of Wood-Ridge, as
such program may from time to time be defined and administered by
the State of New Jersey, Department of Workforce Development and the
Department of Human Services, through the Bergen County Board of Social
Services or its successors.
[Added 4-15-1996 by Ord. No. 96-7]
