The purpose of this Part 15 shall be as follows:
A. To foster fair and open competition in the redevelopment process;
B. To ensure public confidence in the exercise of the Township's redevelopment
authority as conferred by the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law
("LRHL"), N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.;
C. To avoid the appearance of impropriety that can arise when the timing
between political contributions and contracting with redevelopers
seeking agreements under the LRHL closely coincide; and
D. To ensure that the substantial powers conferred on the Township by
the LRHL are exercised in a manner free of outside influence and in
the best interest of the residents of the Township.
As used in this Part 15, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AGREEMENT
Any agreement, contract or other instrument incorporated
and executed pursuant to any provision of the Local Redevelopment
and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq., including, but not limited
to, redeveloper agreements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-9 and payments
in lieu of taxes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-40. The term "agreement"
shall also be defined as long-term tax abatements pursuant to N.J.S.A.
40A:21-1 and short-term tax abatements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:22-1.
CANDIDATE
A.
An individual seeking election to a public office of the state
or of a county, municipality or school district at an election, except
that the term shall not include an individual seeking party office;
B.
An individual who shall have been elected or failed of election
to an office, other than a party office, for which he sought election
and who receives contributions and makes expenditures for any of the
purposes authorized by Section 17 of N.J.S.A. 19:44A-11.2 during the
period of his service in that office; and
C.
An individual who has received funds or other benefits or has made payments solely for the purpose of determining whether the individual should become a candidate as defined in Subsections
A and
B of this definition.
CONTRIBUTION
Includes all loans and transfers of money or other thing
of value to any candidate, candidate committee, joint candidates committee,
political committee, continuing political committee, political party
committee or legislative leadership committee and all pledges or other
commitments or assumptions of liability to make any such transfer;
and for purposes of reports required under the provisions of this
Part 15 shall be deemed to have been made upon the date when such
commitment is made or liability assumed.
MUNICIPAL OFFICE
Mayor of the Township of Bridgewater and/or member of the
Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater, and "candidate for
municipal office" shall be defined as a candidate for one of the aforementioned
offices.
POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEE
The state committee of a political party, as organized pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 19:5-4, any county committee of a political party, as
organized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:5-3, or any municipal committee
of a political party, as organized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:5-2.
REDEVELOPER
Any person, firm, corporation, limited-liability entity,
partnership, sole proprietorship, or any other business entity howsoever
incorporated, or public body that shall enter into or propose to enter
into a contract or enter into an agreement (as defined in this Part
15) with the Township or other redevelopment entity for the redevelopment
or rehabilitation of an area in need of redevelopment, or an area
in need of rehabilitation, or any part thereof, under the provisions
of this N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq., the Local Housing and Redevelopment
Law, or for any construction or other work forming part of a redevelopment
or rehabilitation project. The term "redeveloper" shall also include
any person or individual holding a ten-percent or greater ownership
stake in any business entity, howsoever constituted, that shall enter
into or propose to enter into a contract or agreement as contemplated
herein. The term "redeveloper" shall also include any principle, partner,
or officer of any business entity, howsoever constituted, that shall
enter into or propose to enter into a contract or agreement as contemplated
herein.
REDEVELOPMENT
The clearance, replanning, development and redevelopment;
the conservation and rehabilitation of any structure or improvement,
the construction and provision for construction of residential, commercial,
industrial, public or other structures and the grant or dedication
of spaces as may be appropriate or necessary in the interest of the
general welfare for streets, parks, playgrounds, or other public purposes,
including recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant
thereto, in accordance with a redevelopment plan.
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Any work or undertaking pursuant to a redevelopment plan;
such undertaking may include any buildings, land, including demolition,
clearance or removal of buildings from land, equipment, facilities,
or other real or personal properties which are necessary, convenient,
or desirable appurtenances, such as but not limited to streets, sewers,
utilities, parks, site preparation, landscaping, and administrative,
community, health, recreational, educational, and welfare facilities.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Bridgewater in the County of Somerset, State
of New Jersey, and any of its independent agencies or instrumentalities.