[Amended 6-25-1979 by Ord. No. 1310, approved 11-6-1979; 12-28-1989 by Ord. No. 1661, approved 5-15-1991
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
The Mayor, with the approval of the Board by a majority vote of the total number thereof, shall appoint and fix the compensation of one person learned in the law, who shall be styled the Township Solicitor. In lieu of the appointment of one person, the Mayor, with the approval of the Board by a majority vote of the total number thereof, may appoint a law firm which shall act as the Township Solicitor.
Any individual person appointed Township Solicitor shall possess at least 5 years experience in the active legal practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to his or her appointment.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
The Mayor may dismiss the Township Solicitor at any time, with or without cause.
The Township Solicitor shall be the chief legal officer of the Township. The Township Solicitor, in addition to any other powers, duties and authority provided elsewhere in this Charter, by law or by Board action, shall have the following powers, duties and authority:
A. 
He or she shall furnish legal advice and opinions to the Mayor, to the Board, to the Chairman of any committee of the Board and to all officers and agencies concerning any legal matter arising in connection with the exercise of their official powers or performance of their official duties.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
B. 
He or she shall supervise, direct and control all Township law matters, except the representation of the Zoning Hearing Board. No official, officer or agency shall employ other legal counsel, except as may be permitted by law, without the approval of the Board.
C. 
He or she shall collect, by suit or otherwise, all debts, taxes and accounts due the Township which shall be placed with him for collection by any officer or agency and shall represent the Township and every officer or agency in all litigation.
D. 
He or she shall prepare or approve all contracts, bonds and other instruments in writing in which the Township is concerned and shall approve all surety bonds required to be given for the protection of the Township.
E. 
At the direction of the Mayor, he or she shall investigate any violation or alleged violation within the Township of statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, of the United States of America or of ordinances of the Township or of the County and shall take such steps and adopt such means as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to enforce or cause the enforcement within the Township of such statutes and ordinances.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
F. 
Upon the request of the Board, the Chairman of any committee of the Board or of the Mayor, the Township Solicitor shall prepare or assist in preparing any ordinance or resolution for presentation before the Board.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
G. 
With the approval of the Mayor and the Board, the Township Solicitor may retain special counsel for a particular proceeding.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
H. 
He or she shall do all and every professional act incident to the office which he or she may be lawfully authorized and required to do by the Mayor or by an ordinance or resolution of the Board.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
The Township Solicitor shall have the right to inspect at reasonable times the records of any officer and agency of the Township in connection with the performance of his, her or its powers and duties.