[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.
