Township of Middletown, NJ Article VII Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering

[Amended 3-9-1982 by Ord. No. 1478; 2-25-1985 by Ord. No. 1727; 2-21-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-3052]

§ 7-40 Establishment; Director of Public Works.

A. The head of the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering shall be the Director of Public Works. The Director of Public Works may serve as head of any division listed in § 7-41, upon appointment by the Township Administrator.

B. Any person holding the office, position or employment as full-time Director of Public Works who has held said office, position or employment continuously for five years or more shall continue to hold said office, position or employment during good behavior and efficiency and shall not be removed therefrom except for good cause, upon written charges filed with the Municipal Clerk and after public, fair and impartial hearing.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

C. Within the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering there shall be an Assistant Director of Public Works. Upon recommendation of the Director of Public Works and approval of the Township Administrator, the Assistant Director may serve as head of any division listed in § 7-41, except that of the Division of Engineering.

D. Heads of all divisions listed in on § 7-41 shall report to the Director of the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering, or in their absence, the Assistant Director of Public Works.

§ 7-41 Organization.

Within the Department there shall be the following divisions:

A. Division of Engineering.

B. Division of Public Roads.

C. Division of Solid Waste and Recycling.

D. Division of Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance.

E. Division of Buildings and Grounds.

F. Division of Parks Maintenance.

§ 7-42 Division of Engineering; Engineer.

A. The head of the Division of Engineering shall be the Township Engineer, when the Township Engineer is also a Middletown Township full- or part-time employee. The Township Engineer shall be a fully licensed professional engineer in the State of New Jersey and who shall be qualified by training and/or experience for the duties of this office. The Township Engineer may also serve as the Director of Public Works.

B. The Township Engineer shall:

(1) Be responsible for quality control and inspection of work performed by the operating divisions of the Department.

(2) Supervise the Township landfill operation.

(3) Assist the Planning Board in review and examination of subdivision plats and applications and in the preparation of the capital improvement program and budget.

(4) Inspect the work performed under public contracts and report the results thereof to the Director and, where indicated, certify satisfactory completion of work for progress payments pursuant to contract.

(5) Provide, where possible and subject to the approval of the Administrator, engineering services on an at-cost basis to other Township agencies who, by law, are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Township Committee and must separately pay for such services.

(6) Render professional engineering advice and assistance and supportive engineering services to the Committee, the Administrator, the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering and such other departments, boards and commissions as the Administrator shall designate and provide such specific engineering services with respect to any Township project as the Committee may authorize or approve.

(7) Maintain Township maps, engineering data and records as may be required for the proper and efficient technical administration of public works functions.

(8) File or cause to be filed in such office of the Township as may be designated or approved by the Administrator the original or true copies of maps, charts, documents, worksheets and data.

§ 7-43 Consulting engineer.

The Committee, upon recommendation of the Administrator, may appoint a consulting engineer, who shall be retained under such contractual terms and conditions as shall be authorized or approved by the Committee, and who may perform some or all of the duties listed in § 7-42.

§ 7-44 Division of Public Roads.

Within the Department there shall be a Division of Public Roads. The Division shall:

A. Maintain, repair, construct and reconstruct public roads, streets and drainage systems of the Township.

B. Maintain Township streets, roads, parking lots and public docks in a clean and safe condition for passage, properly lighted as authorized by ordinance, free of obstructions and hazards, and remove leaves, trees, tree limbs, snow and debris therefrom as required for public safety.

C. Install, maintain and repair street signs, traffic markers and lines.

§ 7-45 Division of Solid Waste and Recycling.

Within the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering there shall be a Division of Solid Waste and Recycling. The Division shall operate and maintain the Township sanitary landfill and such other Township services as may be authorized by ordinance for the collection and disposal of domestic garbage, trash and other solid wastes.

§ 7-46 Division of Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance.

Within the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering there shall be a Division of Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance. The Division shall:

A. Operate the Township garage.

B. Provide for the maintenance and repair of Township-owned vehicles and equipment as well as vehicles and equipment contracted for maintenance with another agency and/or governmental entity for which the Township Committee authorizes by adoption of agreement.

C. Provide for the storage, servicing and control of the use of Township-owned vehicles; the scheduling of preventive maintenance thereon; the preparation, reporting and control of vehicle, equipment and parts inventories, labor, materials, fuel and lubricants consumed; and the processing and initiating of claims against manufacturers' and dealers' guaranties on new vehicles and equipment.

§ 7-47 Division of Parks Maintenance.

Within the Department of Public Works, Parks, and Engineering there shall be a Division of Parks Maintenance. The Division shall:

A. Maintain all Township lands including maintenance and upkeep of all parks, both developed and undeveloped, and all park-related facilities.

B. Maintenance and upkeep of developed parks shall include maintenance, grass cutting, lining and striping and necessary repairs of all athletic fields. Maintenance of undeveloped parks shall include general and routine maintenance, periodic removal of trash and debris clearing and maintenance of all pathways, driveways and roadways.

C. Maintain all other recreation facilities, including but not limited to playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, fencing, backstops, roller hockey rinks, parking areas, benches and bleachers. Maintenance shall include the development of a Maintenance Schedule for all facilities.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

D. Work closely with sports and recreational leagues within the Township to develop and maintain relationships for sharing and coordination of services for various parks. This shall include the facilitation of at least one general meeting per year whereby representatives of all active leagues and organizations will be invited and including parks maintenance staff. The purpose of said meeting will be to discuss all issues and concerns of the leagues as well as the Township.

E. Maintenance of all public bathing beaches, including routine maintenance and debris removal in order to ensure safe and proper public access and use. Public bathing beaches shall be prepared for opening prior to Memorial Day each year.

F. Maintenance of facilities in conformance with ADA requirements, including periodic ADA-related upgrades and site modifications in accordance with the Township's adopted ADA Transition Plan.

G. Work closely and in coordination with the Director of Recreation on timing and scheduling of all work to ensure maximum efficiency and to ensure facilities are ready and available when needed for recreational programs and activities.

H. Nothing within this article shall be construed as notice of any dangerous condition existing on any Township property or a waiver of any immunities provided under the Tort Claims Act. The use of any and all Township properties, parks or recreational facilities, in particular, those that are not improved and in a natural or undeveloped state, shall be at an individual's own risk.

§ 7-48 General services. [1]

The Department also shall:

A. Receive applications for and issue permits as provided by ordinance.

B. Provide technical and mechanical services required by any department, subject to the direction of the Administrator.

C. Maintain and repair Township buildings and properties and provide custodial and janitorial services therefor, including real estate acquired by tax foreclosure or otherwise.

[1] Editor's Note: Original §§ 2-47.1 through 2.47.6, which immediately followed and which provided for the supervision of certain historic and cultural sites, was added 4-13-1976 by Ord. No. 1081, amended 2-13-1979 by Ord. No. 1278 and 5-22-1979 by Ord. No. 1305 and was repealed 5-26-1981 by Ord. No. 1431. For current provisions on historic preservation, see Ch. 540, Planning and Development Regulations.