Township of Knowlton, NJ Officers and Employees

A Chief Financial Officer shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Township Committee at its annual reorganization meeting, for a term of one year and until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. He shall be subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of New Jersey relating to tenure of office, removal from office and certification to meet the requirements of examination and certification in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1 et seq. Commencing January 1, 1991, no person shall be appointed as Chief Financial Officer in the Township unless said person holds a Municipal Financial Officers Certificate and complies with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1 et seq.

The Chief Financial Officer may be a resident of the Township of Knowlton, if so qualified. However, if no person is so qualified who resides within the Township, the Township Committee may appoint someone so qualified who resides outside of the Township. The Chief Financial Officer shall receive such compensation as prescribed by the Salary Ordinance and shall give bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties, such bond to be paid for by the Township.

The hours that the Chief Financial Officer shall devote to his/her office and be present at the municipal building shall be prescribed by a resolution of the Township Committee of the Township.

Any temporary appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Township shall be for a period not to exceed two years.

Duties, compensation and hours of Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

In addition to the position of Chief Financial Officer, there is hereby established for the Township the position of Deputy Financial Officer. Any temporary appointment and Deputy Financial Officer of the Township shall be for a period not to exceed two years.

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall act in the place of the Chief Financial Officer during such time and for such specific periods as the Chief Financial Officer shall be absent or ill, and, in such cases, shall have all the powers and authority possessed by the Chief Financial Officer, whose duties are set forth herein, and shall be required to comply with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1 et seq. to the same extent that those provisions apply to the Chief Financial Officer.

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall be appointed in the same manner as the Chief Financial Officer, and his compensation shall be as prescribed by the Salary Ordinance.

The Township Committee shall prescribe the hours when the Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall be present in his office by resolution.

(5)

The Township Committee reserves the right not to fill the office of Deputy Chief Financial Officer and may leave the same vacant for any period of time.

Functions of office of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for the following duties:

Keep and maintain books and records of all financial transactions of the Township, except those maintained by the Tax Collector, in accordance with the standards of the Division of Local Finance of the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey.

Prepare weekly, biweekly, monthly or for such other period as may be necessary payrolls in compliance with the Salary Ordinance.

Prepare checks for signature following the approval of the vouchers by the Township Committee.

Prepare monthly reports to the Township Committee of all receipts, expenditures, commitments and unexpended appropriations and any other pertinent data as requested by the Township Committee.

(5)

Have the safekeeping and custody of all municipal securities, investments and bonds of the Township.

(6)

Invest and reinvest surplus or idle funds of the municipality, according to the directives of the Township Committee.

(7)

Promptly pay interest and principal on municipal obligations as they fall due.

(8)

Cooperate with the Township Clerk in making revenue and expenditure estimates for the Township and for the benefit of the Township Committee, review all vouchers or claims and control all expenditures within the limits of appropriations through an encumbrance system of budget operations. In addition, the Chief Financial Officer shall determine if there are funds available for the payment of each and every one of the bills submitted to the Township and shall, for such purposes, review each of the vouchers to ascertain that it has been properly executed, approved and verified prior to drawing the check for the same.

(9)

Be responsible for seeing that all funds received by him/her are deposited to the proper accounts and within the time allowed by the Division of Local Finance of the Department of Community Affairs.

(10)

Confer when needed and at least monthly with the Township Auditor, Township Attorney and other officials of the Township.

(11)

Follow all regulations of the Division of Local Finance of the Department of Community Affairs in connection with the filing of reports and expending of funds received by the Township from the United States Government and other governmental agencies in which Knowlton shall have a right to share under various programs adopted by the United States Government, State of New Jersey and other governmental agencies.

(12)

File, in accordance with applicable statutes, monthly periodical and annual financial statements, which statements shall be in writing and, when necessary, verified under oath.

§ 35-2 Township Clerk; Deputy Township Clerk.

[Amended by Ord. No. 91-6]

There is hereby established the office of Township Clerk. The Township Clerk shall have those duties and responsibilities as prescribed in N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133 et seq., and such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Township Clerk, from time to time, by the Township Committee.

[Amended 3-9-2015 by Ord. No. 15-02]

The Township Clerk is the custodian of all records of the Township, with the exception of personnel evaluations. The Chair of the Personnel Subcommittee is hereby appointed as the records custodian of personnel evaluations. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Personnel Subcommittee to treat these evaluations as confidential and to maintain them in a secure location protected from unauthorized access. It is further the responsibility of the Chair of the Personnel Subcommittee to ensure that personnel evaluations are passed to the next chair should the appointment change. Any employee wishing to access his/her evaluation should follow the procedure specified in the Knowlton Township Employee Personnel Manual.

Term of office. The Township Clerk shall be appointed by the Township Committee and shall hold office for a period of three years, which term shall commence on January 1 in the year in which he/she is appointed. Compensation of the Township Clerk shall be fixed by the Township Committee in the annual Salary Ordinance of the Township of Knowlton.

Tenure and certification. The Township Clerk shall comply with and be subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of New Jersey relating to tenure in office, removal from office and certification to meet the requirements of examination and certification in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133 through 40A:9-134, inclusive. The Township Clerk shall obtain the requisite certificate as prescribed in N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133.3. Commencing January 1, 1992, no person shall be appointed as Township Clerk in the Township of Knowlton unless such person holds a Certification of Registered Municipal Clerk, or complies with the provisions relating to examination and certification of Municipal Clerks in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133.2.

Deputy municipal clerk.

In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-135, there is hereby created the office of Deputy Municipal Clerk. The Deputy Municipal Clerk shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Township Committee at the annual reorganization meeting of the Township Committee, or such other time as the Township Committee finds it desirable and in the best interest of the Township to fill such position. The Deputy Municipal Clerk shall hold office, during a period of good behavior, for a period of one year if appointed at the annual reorganization meeting, or the balance of the calendar year if appointed at any other time of the year, or until a successor has been appointed and has been qualified. The position of Deputy Municipal Clerk shall be a full-time position, and the rate of compensation shall be that which is fixed by the Township Committee in its Salary Ordinance.

The Deputy Municipal Clerk shall perform those functions and duties required of the Municipal Clerk in the absence or disability of the Municipal Clerk and shall have all the powers of the Municipal Clerk and shall perform such functions and duties of such office in the absence of the Municipal Clerk. The Deputy Municipal Clerk shall report to the Municipal Clerk and shall perform such duties as my be assigned to the Deputy Municipal Clerk by the Municipal Clerk. The Deputy Township Clerk shall also perform such duties as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Township Committee. The Deputy Municipal Clerk shall also perform such functions as assigned, from time to time, by resolution of the Township Committee, which resolution may include additional, nonstatutory duties of the Deputy Municipal Clerk.

[Amended by Ord. No. 94-15; 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]

§ 35-3 Constable.

Appointment. The governing body may appoint one or more Constables. The persons to be appointed Constables shall be residents and qualified voters of the Township of Knowlton.

[Amended by Ord. No. 81-5]

Badge. The municipality shall supply each Constable with a badge, suitably inscribed, to be returned at the end of the Constable's term.

Bond. Before entering upon the execution of his office, every person appointed shall have a surety bond in the sum of $1,000 or in an amount recommended by the Municipal Accountant, whichever is less, which bond shall be filed in the office of the Township Clerk. The cost of said bond shall be borne by the municipality.

Oath. Each person appointed as a Constable before entering upon the duties of his office shall take, subscribe and file with the Township Clerk the Constable's oath as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:9-124. The oath may be administered by the Clerk or by any persons authorized by law to administer oaths.

Report contents; failure to file.

Every Constable shall on or before the first Wednesday following the first Monday of every month file with the governing body by whom he was elected or appointed a report of his official activities, other than a connection with court or judicial proceedings, for the month immediately past.

The report shall list the names and addresses of all persons contacted by the Constable in his official capacity, together with the date, time and purpose of the contact. In addition, the report shall contain an accurate statement of all fees collected by the Constable and from whom and for what service each fee was collected.

The failure by a Constable to file such report for two consecutive months, unless he was prevented from so doing by reason of his physical incapacity, shall result in his office being deemed vacant, and he shall be barred from exercising the rights and privileges thereof.

Chief of Constables; annual report. The Township Committee shall annually designate a Chief of Constables, who shall, in addition to other duties assigned by the Commissioner of Public Safety, render an annual report which shall include performance against objectives for the past year, objective and budget requirements for the forthcoming year and other information requested by the Township Committee.

Duties. It shall be the duty of all Constables appointed by the Township Committee to enforce the ordinances of the Township of Knowlton as well as any other duties specified by statutes of the State of New Jersey.

Term. A Constable shall be appointed for a term of one year from January 1 each year to December 31.

Termination. The Township Committee shall have the authority and power to discharge and terminate a Constable from his position at any time during the Constable's term.

§ 35-4 Noncertified, nonlicensed positions.

[Added 6-10-1996 by Ord. No. 96-07]

Receptionist/clerical assistant.

The receptionist/clerical assistant shall be appointed by the Township Committee and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Township Committee.

The position shall be a part-time, at-will position, and the rate of compensation shall be that which is fixed by the Township Committee in its Salary Ordinance. The receptionist/clerical assistant shall perform those clerical functions and nonstatutory duties, from time to time, as directed by the Municipal Clerk or by the Township Committee. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Municipal Clerk and the Township Committee.

Maintenance/custodian.

The maintenance/custodian shall be appointed by the Township Committee and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Committee.

The position shall be a part-time, at-will position, and the rate of compensation shall be that which is fixed by the Township Committee in its Salary Ordinance. The maintenance/custodian position may, at the discretion of the Township Committee, be a position requiring two persons, splitting the title(s) and duties based upon demand of required services. The maintenance/custodian shall perform those functions and duties relating to the maintenance of the Township Recreational Fields and Facilities under the direction of the Recreation Director.

The maintenance/custodian shall perform those functions and duties relating to the general cleaning and upkeep of the Municipal Building and Township Offices, under the direction of the Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee.

Community Service Supervisor.

The Community Service Supervisor shall be appointed by the Township Committee and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Township Committee.

The position shall be a part-time, at-will position, and the rate of compensation shall be that which is fixed by the Township Committee in its Salary Ordinance. The Community Service Supervisor shall supervise and direct those community service workers to perform those functions and duties during scheduled Saturdays or other days agreeable to and under the direction of the governing body of the Township of Knowlton.

The Community Service Supervisor shall supervise those functions and duties as directed by the Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee.

Escrow Manager.

[Added 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]

The position of Escrow Manager is a part-time position; the salary is set by ordinance. The position reports to the Township Chief Financial Officer. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Chief Financial Officer.

The functions and responsibilities of the Escrow Manager include:

(a)

Processing all vouchers relating to escrow disbursements.

(b)

Posting all deposits and disbursements to each escrow account weekly.

(c)

Maintaining the monthly balance of each escrow account.

(d)

Preparing bimonthly status report of escrow balances for Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

(e)

Notifying applicants of status of their accounts and requesting additional moneys.

(f)

Such duties relating to escrow processing as provided in for in Municipal Land Use Law statutes.

Office Manager.

[Added 12-14-2015 by Ord. No. 15-11]

There is hereby established the position of Office Manager. The Office Manager is charged with the following responsibilities:

(a)

Serve as intermediary or liaison between various Township municipal boards, agencies, committees, commissions and departments and their professional advisors and the Township Committee and facilitate communication within the local governmental framework.

(b)

Maintain harmony among workers and attempt to resolve grievances at an informal level; perform or assist subordinates in performing duties; adjust errors and complaints and act as first contact in conflict resolution among staff. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, it is expressly understood that the Township Office Manager shall not be responsible for imposing discipline against employees.

(c)

Handle all complaints concerning day-to-day operations of the Township and direct to the Mayor or Personnel Subcommittee those complaints that cannot be solely resolved by the Office Manager.

(d)

Prepare and submit to the Township Committee such reports as may be required by that body or as the Office Manager may deem advisable to submit.

(e)

Act as the head supervisory administrator in daily operations of running the municipal offices, including reviewing staffing needs, vacation scheduling, lunch coverage and employee supervision. As such, the Office Manager shall have access to all the corresponding files and records.

(f)

Establish a long-term plan in conjunction with the Township Committee to meet the changing governmental needs of our citizens.

(g)

Coordinate the operation of all departments, offices, and agencies of the Township in accordance with Township Committee policies and direction and periodically report on it.

(h)

Maintain close liaison with department heads and advise the governing body of operations and projects in progress.

(i)

Perform any other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Mayor or Township Committee.

The position shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Township Committee for a one-year term (with the first term ending December 31, 2015); vacancies other than due to expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. He or she may be removed with or without cause by majority vote of the Township Committee.

The salary of the Office Manager may be set at the discretion of the Township Committee as an employee salary by amendment to the Township's Salary Ordinance or by a professional services contract.

§ 35-5 Recreation Director.

[Added 6-27-1996 by Ord. No. 96-09]

The position of Recreation Director is hereby created.

Said Recreation Director shall be responsible for the organization and arrangement of various schedules of the various activities and other duties as set forth in the Recreation Director's job description.

The position of Recreation Director is a part-time position; the salary is set by ordinance. The position reports to the Township Committee. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Township Committee.

[Added 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]

Should the Recreation Director and the Township Committee so decide that, for reasons of efficiency and expertise, a Recreation Codirector is desirable, the duties of the Recreation Director shall be shared with the Codirector in a manner agreeable to both Directors and the Township Committee at the time the Codirector is appointed. The salaries of both Directors will be set by ordinance, and both shall report to the Township Committee.

[Added 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]

§ 35-6 Municipal Tax Collector.

[Added 11-12-1996 by Ord. No. 96-15]

Duties and responsibilities. There is hereby established the office of Municipal Tax Collector. The Municipal Tax Collector is charged with the duty of collecting taxes upon real and personal property in the municipality as provided in N.J.S.A. 40A:9-145.1(b) and other applicable laws of the State of New Jersey. The appropriate hours of operation of the Tax Collector's office, the compensation and the work hours of the Tax Collector may be set by ordinance in accordance with N.J.S.A 40A:9-141.

Term of office. The Municipal Tax Collector shall be appointed by the Township Committee for a term of four years from the first day of January next following; the appointment and compensation shall be fixed by Salary Ordinance in accordance with the provisions of law. Vacancies other than due to expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in accordance with law.

Tenure and certification. The Municipal Tax Collector shall comply with and be subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of New Jersey relating to tenure in office, removal from office and certification. Commencing May 1, 1993, no person shall be appointed or reappointed as Tax Collector unless such person holds a Tax Collector certificate issued by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services as provided by statute.

§ 35-7 Deputy Tax Collector.

[Added 11-12-1996 by Ord. No. 96-15]

There is hereby created the position of Deputy Tax Collector, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Committee. The Deputy Tax Collector shall assist the Tax Collector in performing the duties of that office as needed from time to time. The Deputy Tax Collector need not be certified as a Tax Collector in New Jersey, but shall be knowledgeable in the responsibilities and duties of the Tax Collector. The Deputy Tax Collector may work full- or part-time, as directed by the Mayor and Committee. The salary for the Deputy Tax Collector shall be established by the Salary Ordinance in accordance with law. The Deputy Tax Collector may be removed from his/her position at any time by the Mayor and Committee without cause. The Deputy Tax Collector shall obtain no tenure in office. The Deputy Tax Collector shall not perform any duties of Tax Collector not permitted by law.

§ 35-8 Municipal Tax Assessor.

[Added 11-12-1996 by Ord. No. 96-15]

Duties and responsibilities. There is hereby established the office of Municipal Tax Assessor. The Municipal Tax Assessor is charged with the duty of assessing all real property in the taxing district in accordance with N.J.S.A. 54:4-23 and other applicable laws of the State of New Jersey. The appropriate hours of operation of the Tax Assessor's office and the work hours of the Tax Assessor may be set by ordinance.

Term of office. The Municipal Tax Assessor shall be appointed by the Township Committee for a term of four years from the first day of July next following; the appointment and compensation shall be fixed by Salary Ordinance in accordance with the statute. Vacancies other than due to expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-148. The Municipal Tax Assessor may be appointed as Tax Assessor in more than one municipality, provided that the holding of additional appointments meets the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-146.4.

Tenure and certification. The Municipal Tax Assessor shall comply with and be subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of New Jersey relating to holding office, tenure in office, removal from office and certification as provided by statute. No person shall be appointed or reappointed as Tax Assessor unless such person holds a Tax Assessor certificate as provided by statute.

§ 35-8.1 Tax Reassessment Assistant.

[Added 3-25-2000 by Ord. No. 00-2]

The position of Tax Reassessment Assistant is a part-time position; the salary is set by ordinance. The position reports to the Township Tax Assessor. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Tax Assessor.

The functions and responsibilities of the Tax Reassessment Assistant include:

Perform property inspections on approximately 560 residences/farms, commercial buildings and 125 vacant parcels.

Attend informational meetings with taxpayers.

Attend informal discussions/hearings with taxpayers after they receive new tax values.

§ 35-8.2 Tax Reassessment Consultant.

The position of Tax Reassessment Consultant is a part-time position; the salary is set by ordinance. The position reports to the Township Tax Assessor. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Tax Assessor.

The functions and responsibilities of the Tax Reassessment Consultant include:

Produce new tables with updated values for quality classes, multifamily, conversions, and other nonconventional residences.

Create programming for depreciation schedules, land value formulas, and effective year.

Update the tax list with new zoning, road frontage, Tax Map page, property location, and correct address (911 address) where needed.

Create a PC sale database for value determination.

(5)

Provide new property record cards.

(6)

Review all property record cards and enter all data into Vital.

(7)

Print value reports, inspection logs, labels for property record cards and value letters (importing data) to be mailed to taxpayers after completion of reassessment.

(8)

Review Township records and compare to Mod IV records for accuracy.

(9)

Provide Marshall and Swift software for commercial property values.

(10)

Provide digital cameras and CD-ROMs for photographs.

§ 35-9 Animal Control Officer.

[Added 11-12-1996 by Ord. No. 96-15]

The Township Committee shall appoint an Animal Control Officer for a term of one year commencing on January 1 of the year of the appointment, and compensation shall be fixed by Salary Ordinance, as provided by statute. The Animal Control Officer may be removed during his/her term for cause by the Mayor and Committee.

No person shall be appointed or reappointed Animal Control Officer unless in possession of an Animal Control Officer's certificate issued in accordance with statute.

The Animal Control Officer shall enforce and abide by the provisions of Chapter 64, Animals, and other laws of the State of New Jersey related to the control, protection, health and care of animals, and shall be responsible for the collection of all animal registration fees and late fees, issuance of all animal registration tags, maintenance of necessary equipment, scheduling of animal clinics and all other related duties in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and this Code, except insofar as state law may assign any duties exclusively to another enforcement agency.

The hours that the Animal Control Officer shall devote to the office and be present at the Municipal Building shall be prescribed by a resolution of the Township Committee of the Township.

References in this Code to the "Dog Warden" shall also mean the Animal Control Officer.

Animal Licensing Official.

[Added 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]

The position of Animal Licensing Official is a part-time position; the salary is set by ordinance. The position reports to the Township Municipal Clerk. The number of hours and days assigned to this office shall be at the discretion of the Municipal Clerk.