[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater 12-3-2018 by Ord. No. 18-24. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Bridgewater-Raritan Municipal Alliance Committee — See Ch. 22.
A. 
It shall be the purpose of the Bridgewater-Raritan Municipal Youth Services Commission (BRMYSC) to encourage, coordinate and integrate existing services for youth at risk of or already involved in the juvenile justice system by determining the needs of at-risk youth in their community, developing and proposing new innovative programs to meet the identified needs and informing the public of the availability of service to meet those needs.
B. 
The BRMYSC shall work collaboratively with the Somerset County Youth Services Commission in their joint responsibility of assessing the needs of youth within the Township of Bridgewater and the Borough of Raritan in order to develop appropriate prevention and intervention strategies that address those issues.
C. 
In carrying out this purpose, the BRMYSC shall fulfill the following responsibilities:
(1) 
Provide an open forum to foster communication, education and information concerning problems and opportunities that exist within the community for youth;
(2) 
Advise on and recommend planning, policy and programs for youth;
(3) 
Explore various resources to meet the local community needs; and
(4) 
Assist in the development of a plan of action to implement recommended programs.
The BRMYSC is established pursuant to the authority granted to local municipalities by prior resolution of the County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, and consistent with N.J.S.A. 52:17b-169 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 13:90-2.1 et seq.
A. 
The Mayor of each member municipality shall appoint by and with the advice and consent of the governing bodies of each municipality members of the Commission in a manner consistent with this chapter.
B. 
The BRMYSC shall consist of 12 members. Ten members shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Township of Bridgewater with advice and consent of the Bridgewater Township Council, and two members shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Borough of Raritan with the advice and consent of the Raritan Borough Council. The membership of the BRMYSC should be selected from the following: the Mayors of each municipality; members of the governing bodies of each municipality; the Superintendent of Schools for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District (BRRSD); principals, teachers, special service personnel and school nurses from the BRRSD; the Chiefs of Police, School Resource Officers, and Juvenile Officers of each municipality; the Recreation Directors of each municipality; clergymen and clergywomen from congregations within each municipality; students from the BRRSD; and citizens from the public of both municipalities with an interest in furthering the BRMYSC's purpose and responsibility as defined in this chapter.
C. 
Members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve for a term of three years or until their successors be appointed, with the exception that the terms of the original membership of the Council from the Township of Bridgewater be so constituted so as to provide that three of the members shall serve one year, three for two years, and four for three years. If a vacancy shall occur on the Commission, that vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the prior member in a manner consistent with this chapter.
D. 
The members of the Commission shall organize annually by selecting a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. The Commission shall meet regularly, at least once a month, and at such other times as its Chairman shall direct. The Commission may adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business so long as said bylaws are consistent with this chapter, all relevant statutory provisions and all applicable mandates and regulations from the Somerset County Youth Services Commission.
A. 
The BRMYSC shall:
(1) 
Provide an open forum to foster communication, education and information concerning problems and opportunities that exist within the community for youth;
(2) 
Advise on and recommend the planning and development of programs for youth;
(3) 
Serve as the functioning body in the development of plans in the areas of youth services;
(4) 
Assess the needs of the community's youth throughout the calendar year;
(5) 
Identify service gaps and priorities;
(6) 
Explore various means and resources to meet the local community needs; and
(7) 
Assist in the development of a plan of action to implement recommended programs.
B. 
The BRMYSC shall coordinate its efforts with the Somerset County Youth Services Commission and shall be guided by the rules and regulations adopted thereby, including but not limited to the procurement of grants consistent with this chapter and in furtherance of the purpose and mission of the BRMYSC.