[Added 7-8-2003 by Ord. No. O-27-2003; amended 2-28-2006 by Ord. No. O-05-2006]
[Amended 12-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-70-2007; 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:13-2023; 11-27-2024 by Ord. No. O:55-2024]
A. 
There shall be a Department of Parks and Recreation. The Director shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Township Council. The Director shall serve the term of the Mayor. The Department of Parks and Recreation falls under the direct supervision of the Recreation Leader in the Parks and Recreation Department, who shall report to the Director. The department head shall act as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Recreation Leader in the Parks and Recreation Department. The Director shall report directly to the Mayor and/or his/her designee.
B. 
The department head shall submit an annual administrative action plan to the Mayor and Council and shall meet with the Mayor biannually to review the action plan.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-93.1.1, Qualifications and conditions; municipal department head, was repealed 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:13-2023.
[Amended 11-27-2024 by Ord. No. O:55-2024]
The director's duties are as follows:
A. 
Plan, promote, organize and administer the overall operations of the Division of Parks and Recreation in coordination with the Recreation Leader.
B. 
Manage new parks and recreation projects in coordination with the Recreation Leader.
C. 
Coordinate and schedule Township events in coordination with the Recreation Leader.
D. 
Preparation of the annual budget in coordination with the Recreation Leader.
E. 
Authority to develop regulations and collect fees for programs outlined in the Township's fee schedule.
F. 
Plan, develop, promote and direct annual events, cultural, athletic and leisure activities for all of the residents of the Township in coordination with the Recreation Leader.
G. 
Coordinate and develop the Department's activities with other public and private recreational facilities and programs.
H. 
Coordinate and schedule the use of Township park and recreational facilities with other public and/or private recreational programs.
I. 
Promote and direct cultural, athletic and leisure-time activities for children, youths and adults.
J. 
Plan, develop and administer public recreational facilities and parks.
K. 
Adopt suitable rules and regulations for the safety and conduct of persons using the recreational facilities and for the preservation of public peace and order at public events under its jurisdiction in coordination with the Director of Public Safety.
L. 
Arrange and provide for the giving of exhibitions, plays, concerts, games and contests and may charge and collect a reasonable admission fee for each spectator or participant. Further, the Department may also solicit or receive any gifts or real or personal property, in the name of the Township of Monroe, to be used in the park and recreation program.
[1]
Editor's Note: A User Handbook intended to provide a detailed guideline for Parks and Recreation and its partnership with all the volunteer organizations within the Township of Monroe was adopted 7-24-2012 by Ord. No. O:17-2012. A copy of the handbook is on file in the Township offices.
[Amended 12-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-70-2007; 11-27-2024 by Ord. No. O:55-2024]
Within the Department of Parks and Recreation, there shall be a Division of Parks and Recreation, the Supervisor of which shall be the Recreation Leader. The Recreation Leader shall perform the following duties:
A. 
Be responsible for all staff, buildings and facilities utilized for the Parks and Recreation Department.
B. 
Supervise all department personnel.
C. 
The Recreation Leader shall either perform or direct the performance of a variety of routine maintenance, repair, and cleaning tasks involved in the case of grounds and associated facilities and equipment; does other related duties as required. (NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.)
[Added 12-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-70-2007; amended 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:13-2023]
The Department shall consist of a Recreation Leader and other workers, as deemed necessary, who shall be full-time and shall be hired by the Mayor pursuant to the criteria set forth in § 4-93.3.2, entitled "Division of Parks and Recreation: Recreation Leader and other workers," through § 4-93.3.3, entitled "Requirements; Supervisor of Fields and other workers."
[Added 12-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-70-2007; amended 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:13-2023; 11-27-2024 by Ord. No. O:55-2024]
The Recreation Leader and other workers shall be under the department head and shall perform the following duties:
A. 
In addition to the duties set forth above in § 4-93.3, the Recreation Leader and other workers shall be responsible for the following:
(1) 
Mows lawn/turf at designated height using hand tools or simple power equipment (walking power lawnmower).
(2) 
Applies prescribed amounts of lime, fertilizer, and insecticide (under proper supervision) using a spreader and/or sprayers.
(3) 
Spreads and levels new soil to prepare area for new turf, grass, and so forth, using hand tools.
(4) 
Operates a hand roller to level uneven surfaces.
(5) 
Seeds lawn or digs ground to plant shrubs, flowers, and so forth.
(6) 
Trims and sprays shrubs and trees for insects/diseases using hand and simple power-operated equipment tools (saws and clippers).
(7) 
Marks athletic areas using lime/chalk line and sets up bleachers to prepare area for athletic events.
(8) 
Removes rust/dirt from surfaces prior to painting using wire brush/scraper.
(9) 
Applies paint to surfaces using brushes to renew the finish on signs, benches, tables, bleachers, and other recreational equipment.
(10) 
Mixes and pours cement and/or rakes asphalt (cold mix) to repair and patch walks or recreational areas such as tennis courts.
(11) 
Makes minor repairs to hand tools and mechanical equipment such as cleaning/oiling lawnmowers.
(12) 
Loads and unloads supplies and materials onto and from truck.
(13) 
Cleans grounds and outdoor facilities using rakes, brooms, hoses, and so forth.
(14) 
Cleans washrooms.
(15) 
Assembles playground equipment.
(16) 
Removes snow using shovel.
(17) 
Rakes and removes leaves or refuse; may drive truck (as an incidental duty).
(18) 
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
[Added 12-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-70-2007; amended 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:13-2023]
A. 
License. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position. Possession of a valid certificate as a commercial pesticide applicator issued by the New Jersey Department of Environment Protection may be required. A CDL license would be preferred, but is not required.
B. 
Knowledge and abilities:
(1) 
Knowledge of procedures used in maintaining park grounds, cutting grass, raking, and maintaining athletic areas.
(2) 
Knowledge of procedures involved in performing routine manual operations.
(3) 
Knowledge of the procedures involved in properly caring for park equipment, materials, and supplies.
(4) 
Ability to carry out lawn care and grounds maintenance procedures.
(5) 
Ability to carry out work procedures associated with carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, masonry, and so forth.
(6) 
Ability to carry out procedures associated with care of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
(7) 
Ability to use tools and equipment such as walking power mowers, shears, rakes, hoses, sprinklers, spreaders, and so forth.
(8) 
Ability to understand and carry out simple procedures.
(9) 
Ability to lift heavy objects.
(10) 
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
(11) 
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
(12) 
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after an evaluation by a health care professional designated by the Township.
[Added 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. O:28-2012]
A. 
Criminal history record background checks.
(1) 
Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
COSPONSORED
The Township provision of funding or facilities, including maintenance of facilities, and/or approved by the Township as a sports organization, program and league within the Township of Monroe.
CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK
A determination of whether a person has a criminal record by cross-referencing that person's name and fingerprints with those on file with the local Police Departments Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division, and the New Jersey State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION or CHRI
Information collected by criminal justice agencies concerning persons and stored in the computer databases of the New Jersey State Police SBI Criminal History Information System, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System or other states' computerized depositories containing criminal history record information consisting of identifiable description and notations of arrests, indictments or other formal criminal charges, and any dispositions arising therefrom, including convictions, dismissals, correctional supervision and release.
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
DEPARTMENT
The Township of Monroe Police Department and/or Department of Parks and Recreation.
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018; amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020]
NONPROFIT YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATION
A corporation, association, or other organization established pursuant to Title 15 of the Revised Statutes, Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes, or other law of the state, which is exempt from federal income taxes, excluding public or nonpublic schools, and which provides sports-related activities or services for persons 18 years of age or younger, in connection with Monroe Township sponsored or cosponsored sports programs, organizations or leagues.
ORGANIZATION
Shall consist of any and all leagues, programs, organizations, and recreation-conducted activities within the Township of Monroe.
REVIEW COMMITTEE
A three-member committee consisting of the Department Head of the Township of Monroe Parks and Recreation, the Township's Business Administrator, and the Chief of the Monroe Township Police Department. The Committee shall be charged with the review of all appeals of any volunteer whose criminal history background check reveals a disqualifying criminal conviction.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
SPONSORED
Leagues, programs, organizations and recreation run directly by the Monroe Township Department of Parks and Recreation, including oversight, control, approval and/or fiscal contribution.
SUPERVISED
To have the direction and oversight of the performance of others.
UNSUPERVISED
Not supervised or not under constant observation.
VOLUNTEER
Any person involved with the Monroe Township-sponsored or cosponsored sports program, organization or league who has regular unsupervised direct access to minors as a result of their involvement with the organization.
VOLUNTEER REVIEW OPERATION (VRO)
The unit located within the State Bureau of Identification that is responsible for administering criminal background checks for volunteer coaches as specified in this chapter.
[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
B. 
Request for criminal history record background checks; costs.
(1) 
The Township of Monroe is hereby authorized to require a criminal history background check for any person, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40: 48- 1.4 for all adults, those persons 18 years of age or older, including but not limited to coaches, assistant coaches, umpires or similar positions involved in educating, directing or supervising Township-sponsored youth-serving organizations, including but not limited to nonprofit organizations. All persons subject to the mandatory criminal history background checks under this article shall submit the required information for the purposes of obtaining a criminal history background check with the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police pursuant to N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-3 to the Monroe Township Police Department.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018][1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(2), regarding a thirty-day grace period to make application for a criminal history record background check, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020. This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection B(3) through (9) as Subsection B(2) through (8), respectively.
(2) 
The Township shall request a criminal history record background check only upon receipt of the written consent for such a check from the prospective or current employee or volunteer with direct unsupervised access to minors.
(3) 
Fees will be collected from each organization each year and placed in a Township trust account to assist with the costs of such background checks.
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020]
(4) 
All results of criminal background checks shall be filed and maintained in a secure and locked cabinet or room under the control of the Monroe Township Chief of Police and shall not be available to the public. The records shall be exempt from public disclosure under the common law, New Jersey's Open Public Records Act,[2] and any other applicable law or rule. The records shall only be retained for such period as is necessary to serve their intended and authorized purpose, and in conformance with the State of New Jersey Division Retention Schedule.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
[2]
Editor’s Note: See N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
(5) 
Upon receipt of a completed background check conducted by the State Bureau of Identification in the New Jersey State Police, the Chief of Police will then review the criminal history record background check of the person whose check includes a disqualifying crime or offense and inform that party via written notice, explaining that he/she is ineligible for service, and for which offense.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(6) 
If a person's criminal history background check reveals any prior conviction for crimes or offenses set forth in N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq., or convictions for crimes cited on the recommended guidelines established by the National Council for Youth Sports, or other nationally recognized criteria for evaluating criminal histories in youth-related sports, that individual shall be prohibited from participating in any Township-sponsored youth program, subject to the appeal process set forth below.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(7) 
The written notice provided to the offender shall be kept in a file and maintained in the same manner as set forth in paragraph (4) above.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(8) 
The ineligible party may challenge the accuracy of the report and/or appeal the Chief of Police's decision according to the procedures detailed in Subsection E below.
C. 
Conditions under which a person is disqualified from service.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(1) 
Refusal by an individual required to submit the background check will result in a dismissal of the individual from any Township-sponsored activity requiring background checks.
(2) 
A person may be disqualified from serving as an employee or volunteer of a youth serving organization, including but not limited to a nonprofit organization, if that person's criminal history record background check reveals a disqualifying record in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq.
(3) 
In any other state or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in New Jersey would constitute a disqualifying record in accordance with N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq. may also constitute grounds for disqualification.
(4) 
If an individual has a conviction for crimes cited on the recommended guidelines established by the National Council for Youth Sports, or other nationally recognized criteria for evaluating criminal histories in youth-related sports, they shall be disqualified from serving as an employee or volunteer of a youth serving organization, including but not limited to a nonprofit organization.
D. 
Submission, exchange of background information.
(1) 
Prospective or current employees or volunteers of youth serving organizations, including but not limited to nonprofit organizations, shall submit their names, addresses, fingerprints and written consent to the organization for the criminal history record background check to be performed. The organization shall submit this documentation to the Monroe Township Department of Parks and Recreation, which shall coordinate the background check and refer the information to the State Police for the initial check.
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020]
(2) 
Thereafter, all subsequent background checks shall be submitted to the Monroe Township Department of Parks and Recreation, which shall coordinate a background check every three years after the date of the initial check by submitting a New Jersey State Police Form 212B to the New Jersey State Police.
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020]
(3) 
If a volunteer for a Township-sponsored or cosponsored recreation and sports program submits to a background check renewal under § 4-93.3.4D(2) and the background check renewal is only flagged for a criminal history that was reviewed and approved by the Review Committee during a prior background check, the Chief of Police shall have the sole discretion to approve a background check renewal, without the Review Committee's review and approval of such background check renewal under § 4-93.3.4E.
[Added 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:12-2023[3]]
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection D(3) and (4) as Subsection D(4) and (5), respectively.
(4) 
The Monroe Township Department of Parks and Recreation shall collect and disseminate the information obtained as a result of conducting the criminal history record background checks pursuant to this section, including renewal reminders.
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. O:23-2020]
(5) 
All individuals who are required to undergo the background check have an affirmative obligation to make their organization aware of any criminal charges or investigation that are filed after the background check, during the three-year period thereafter. Failure to report said arrest or investigation may deem the person ineligible from participating in the approved activity or event.
E. 
Challenge of accuracy of report and appeal process.
(1) 
A person is not presumed guilty of any charges or arrests for which there are no final dispositions indicated on the criminal history background check, however, may be considered ineligible due to this pending charge. If in the event said person is considered ineligible, he/she shall have 30 days from the receipt of that notice to petition the Review Committee, in writing addressed to the Township's Business Administrator, of an intention to challenge and/or review the accuracy of the information received, and/or the Chief of Police's determination.
(2) 
A person whose criminal history record background check reveals a disqualifying offense shall have 30 days from the receipt of that notice to petition the Review Committee, in writing, addressed to the Township's Business Administrator, of an intention to challenge and/or review the accuracy of the information received, and/or the Chief of Police's determination. Failure to do so within the time period shall result in disqualification.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(3) 
The writing shall include reasons substantiating the challenge and review.
(4) 
Individuals who receive a disqualifying recommendation may be permitted to be employed as an employee or utilized as a volunteer of a youth-serving organization, including but not limited to a nonprofit organization, if they affirmatively demonstrate rehabilitation to the Review Committee. In determining whether a person has affirmatively demonstrated rehabilitation, the Review Committee shall consider the following factors:
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
(a) 
The nature and responsibility of the position which the convicted person would hold or has held.
(b) 
The nature and seriousness of the offense.
(c) 
The circumstances under which the offense occurred.
(d) 
The date of the offense in relation to the date the appellant sought permission to participate in the youth-serving organization.
(e) 
The age of the person and the victim (if any) when the offense was committed.
(f) 
Whether the offense was an isolated incident or repeated incident.
(g) 
Any social conditions which may have contributed to the offense.
(h) 
Any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or the community, counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work-release programs, or the recommendation of those who have had the person under their supervision.
(5) 
The Review Committee shall decide whether the appellant has effectively demonstrated rehabilitation and decide whether to recommend the appellant for service based on a vote with 2/3 majority.
(6) 
The Review Committee shall promptly advise an organization in writing if a current or prospective employee or volunteer whose criminal history record background check reveals a disqualifying offense has affirmatively demonstrated rehabilitation and thus, is recommended for service.
(7) 
The within procedure is subject to any applicable state statutes, regulations or other laws.
[Amended 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. O:22-2018]
F. 
Limitations on access and use of criminal history record information.
(1) 
Access to criminal history record information for noncriminal justice purposes, including licensing and employment, is restricted to the members of the Review Committee.
(2) 
The Review Committee shall limit its use of criminal history record information solely to the individual for which it was obtained and the criminal history record information furnished shall not be disseminated to persons or organizations not authorized to receive the records for authorized purposes.
(3) 
No person or entity shall be held liable in any civil or criminal action brought by any party based on any written notification that may be on file with the Monroe Township Police Department pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(4) 
Any person violating federal or state regulations governing access to criminal history records information, which are hereby incorporated into this ordinance, may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.
G. 
Penalty. Failure to comply with the criminal history background check requirements of this chapter may result in the Township withholding funding for that subject organization and/or prohibiting the use of Township facilities by that organization.