[Ord. No. 90-12 § I;
amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
There is hereby created a Recreation Committee for the Township
of Union. The duties of the Union Township Recreation Committee shall
be to advise the Township Committee on matters involving recreation
policy and recreation activities in the Township of Union and to assist
in the administration of Township recreation matters under the supervision
of the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 90-12 § II; Ord. No. 92-4; Ord. No.
2000-3 § 1; amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
The Recreation Committee shall consist of at least five and
not more than nine persons and [not more than] up to two alternates,
citizens and residents of Union Township, to be appointed by the Township
Committee. The Committee members first appointed shall be appointed
for terms of one, two and three years, in such manner that the terms
of at least one committee member and not more than three members shall
expire in each year according to the number appointed. Thereafter,
all appointments shall be for a term of three years and vacancies
shall be filled for the unexpired term only. The members shall serve
at the pleasure of the Township Committee.
[Amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
The members of the Recreation Committee shall serve without
compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the
performance of their official business if and as authorized by the
Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 90-12 § III;
amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
Subject to the consent of the Township Committee, the Recreation
Committee shall designate one of its members to serve as the Committee
chair, and may also, with approval of the Township Committee, appoint
a Secretary to the Recreation Committee, who may or may not be a member.
The Recreation Committee may employ such staff as are necessary to
administer and implement the Township's recreation program, subject
to approval and hiring by the Township Committee, and may also utilize
volunteers in the recreation program.
[Ord. No. 90-12 § IV;
amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
The Recreation Committee and its members shall have such additional
powers and duties as shall be delegated to them by the Township Committee
in the management and conduct of the Township's recreation program.
The Recreation Committee may promulgate rules and regulations from
time to time for the conduct of the recreation program in Union Township,
subject to the approval of the Township Committee. No funds shall
be expended without prior approval of the Township Committee and compliance
with applicable law.
[Ord. No. 2001-12 § 1;
amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
Regular meetings of the Recreation Committee shall be held in
accordance with a meeting schedule to be established annually, at
the reorganization meeting of the Recreation Committee. At all meetings,
a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Committee.
Minutes of the meetings and votes on expenditures of funds shall be
recorded.
[Ord. No. 2001-12 § 2;
amended 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
Each year the Recreation Committee shall develop a budget for
the ensuing calendar year and present the same to the Township Committee,
which budget shall provide the details of the funds considered necessary
to carry out the recreation program and demonstrate the amount allocated
for the various required services. The Township Committee shall have
the right to approve the proposed budget in whole or in part or to
fix such amount which, in its opinion, is adequate and proper for
the purpose of the Recreation Committee and to appropriate said sum
for such purpose.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 1]
An Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-5, to be known as the Union Township Environmental
Commission, for the protection, development or use of natural resources,
including water resources, located within the Township of Union.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 2]
The Commission shall consist of not less than five nor more
than seven members, appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also
be a member of the Union Township Planning Board and all of whom shall
be residents of Union Township. The members shall serve without compensation
except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one of the
members to serve as chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
The terms of office of the first commissioners shall be for one, two,
or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making the appointments
so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire
each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three
years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
The Mayor or Township Committee may remove any member of the
Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and
after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be
heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring
otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as an original appointment. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of law to the contrary, the powers of appointment
and removal hereby accorded to the Mayor shall be vested in the elected
official so designated, where there is a vacancy in the office of
Mayor, and the duly designated acting mayor.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 3]
The Mayor may appoint not more than two alternate members of
the Commission, who shall be designated at the time of appointment
as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The terms of alternate members
shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members
first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year
for Alternate No. 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate
member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise
than by expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority
for the unexpired term only.
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter
in which he or she has either directly or indirectly any personal
or financial interest. An alternate member may, after a public hearing
if he/she requests one, be removed by the Governing Body for cause.
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings
but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 4]
The Environmental Commission shall have power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas of Union Township
and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for
similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute
books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it
deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all open
areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps
and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use
of such areas, and may from time to time, recommend to the Planning
Board or, if none, to the Mayor and Township Committee plans and programs
for inclusion in the Union Township Master Plan and the development
and use of such areas.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 5]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal,
in the name of the Township by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise
or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for
such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such
an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development
right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other
contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations
or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve,
protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 6]
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 7]
The Township Committee may appropriate funds for the expenses
incurred by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint
such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require
and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.
[Ord. No. 99-7 § 8]
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to study and
make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources
management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control,
soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources
and protection of flora and fauna.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 1]
There is hereby established in and for the Township of Union
a Historic Preservation Committee to promote the conservation of historic
sites and districts and to safeguard the heritage of Union Township
by preserving the elements of its cultural, social, scenic, economic
and architectural history.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 2]
a. The Historic Preservation Committee shall consist of five regular
members. There shall be one member each of Class A and B, and three
members of Class C. Class qualifications shall be as follows:
1. Class A: A person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction
or architectural history.
2. Class B: The Township Historian, or if there is no such person, a
person who is knowledgeable or with a demonstrated interest in local
history.
3. Class C: Citizens of the municipality who shall hold no other municipal
office, position or employment.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 3]
a. The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Township Committee,
shall appoint all members of the Committee and shall designate at
the time of appointment the regular members by class.
b. The terms of the members first appointed shall be so determined that
to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of the terms shall
be distributed, in the case of regular members, evenly over the first
three years after their appointment, provided that the initial term
of no regular member shall exceed three years. Thereafter, the term
of a regular member shall be three years.
c. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be
filled for the unexpired term only.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 4]
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Township Committee,
shall select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the members of the
Historic Preservation Committee, and select a Secretary who may or
may not be a member of the Committee.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 5]
The Committee shall create rules and procedures for the transaction
of its business subject to the following regulations:
a. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of three of
the Committee's members, including the Chairman or, in his absence,
the Vice Chairman.
b. The Secretary shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and
proceedings, including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings,
determinations and decisions. All such materials shall be public records.
c. All members of the Historic Preservation Committee shall serve at
the pleasure of the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 6]
The Committee members shall serve without compensation but shall
be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official
business if authorized by the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 7]
The Historic Committee may secure the voluntary assistance of
the public and, with the prior permission of the Township Committee,
retain consultants and experts.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 8]
The Historic Preservation Committee shall have the responsibility
to:
a. Prepare a survey of historic sites of the Township pursuant to criteria
identified in the survey report.
b. Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the historic preservation
plan element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation
of historic sites of any other Master Plan elements.
c. Advise the Township Committee on the inclusion of historic sites
in the recommended capital improvement program, when requested.
d. Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications
for development pending before such boards, when requested by such
Board.
e. Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions
as will promote historic preservation in the Township.
[Ord. No. 90-14 § 9]
The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall make available
to the Historic Preservation Committee an informational copy of every
application submitted to either board for development in historic
zoning districts or on historic sites designated on the zoning or
official map or in any component element of the Master Plan. Failure
to make the informational copy available shall not invalidate any
hearing or proceeding. The Historic Preservation Committee may provide
its advice which shall be conveyed through its delegation of one of
its members or staff to testify orally at the hearing on the application
and to explain any written report which may have been submitted.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 1]
There is hereby created a Parks Committee for the Township of
Union. The duties of the Union Township Parks Committee shall be to
advise the Township Committee on matters involving park policy and
park activities in the Township of Union and to assist in the administration
of Township park matters under the supervision of the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 2]
The Parks Committee shall consist of at least three and not
more than five persons and not more than two alternates, citizens
and residents of Union Township, to be appointed by the Mayor with
the consent of the Township Committee. The Committee members first
appointed shall be appointed for terms of one, two and three years,
in such manner that the terms of at least one Committee member and
not more than three members shall expire in each year according to
the number appointed. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a
term of three years and vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired
term only. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Township
Committee and shall receive no compensation for their services. The
Township Committee shall serve as the Parks Committee if a Parks Committee
has not been created.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 3]
The Mayor, with the consent of the Township Committee, shall
designate one of the members of the Parks Committee to be Chairman,
and shall also, with approval of the Township Committee, appoint a
Secretary to the Parks Committee, who may or may not be a member.
The Parks Committee may employ a manager and staff as are necessary
to administer and implement the Township's parks program, subject
to approval and hiring by the Township Committee, and may also utilize
volunteers in the parks program.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 4]
The Parks Committee and its members shall have such additional
powers and duties, as shall be delegated to them by the Township Committee
in the management of the Township's parks program. The Parks Committee
may promulgate rules and regulations from time to time for the management
of the parks program in Union Township, subject to the approval of
the Township Committee. The Parks Committee and park staff, the Township
Code Enforcement Officer or any police officer shall have the duty
to enforce regulations for conduct in parks and recreation areas.
The Parks Committee shall manage the maintenance and capital projects
at the parks, subject to the approval of the Township Committee. No
funds shall be expended without prior approval of the Township Committee
and compliance with applicable law.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 5]
Regular meetings of the Parks Committee shall be held in accordance
with a meeting schedule to be established annually, at the reorganization
meeting of the Parks Committee. At all meetings, a quorum shall consist
of a majority of the members of the Committee. Minutes of the meetings
and votes on expenditures of funds shall be recorded.
[Ord. No. 2001-11 § 6]
Each year the Parks Committee shall develop a budget for the
ensuing calendar year and present the same to the Township Committee,
which budget shall provide the details of the funds considered necessary
to carry out the parks program and demonstrate the amount allocated
for the various required services. The Township Committee shall have
the right to approve the proposed budget in whole or in part or to
fix such amount which, in its opinion, is adequate and proper for
the purpose of the Parks Committee and to appropriate said sum for
such purpose.
[Ord. No. 2008-7 § 1]
An active, representative Agricultural Advisory Committee can
benefit Union Township by providing assistance to Township officials
and the residents in general and farmland owners and farm operators
in particular. It can help both the Governing Body and other Township
officials plan and regulate to meet the needs of all residents while,
at the same time, it is providing encouragement for farmland owners
and operators to commit to longer term farming in a community where
their interests and concerns have a voice; and
The agricultural community in many New Jersey municipalities
has become scattered and reduced in size and political impact even
as it often continues to own and control a majority of the undeveloped
land in the community. Those who control municipal planning and regulation
typically come from an urban or suburban background and may have little
knowledge about agriculture or how to use their regulatory powers
to encourage and promote a viable future for the industry. This section
is intended to create a way for municipal governing bodies to stay
in close touch with their farmland owners, and to find ways to enhance
the option to continue to farm for these landowners. This would help
preserve a community's rural character by lessening the need to landowners
to sell farmland for a development.
Many studies show that municipal master plans and ordinances
have a significant potential to affect agricultural profitability
and viability and the level of economic stress farm operations with
little margin to sustain it may be experiencing. The needs of this
specific segment of residents should be considered if the community
wants to preserve the historic land use of farming as well as the
farmland. In fact, if a municipality wants to participate in a Farmland
Preservation Planning Incentive Grant (PIG), it must establish an
Agricultural Advisory Committee.
[Ord. No. 2008-7 § 2]
There is herby established within the Township of Union an Agricultural
Advisory Committee, which will serve as an ad hoc advisory committee
to the Township Committee for the purposes of discussion of matters
of interest to the farming community, current and pending Township
ordinances affecting the farming community, farmland preservation
planning, and other issues of interest to the farming community which
will have an impact on the Township as a whole.
[Ord. No. 2008-7 § 3]
a. The Municipal Agricultural Advisory Committee shall be composed of:
1. At least three, but not more than five, residents of the municipality;
and
2. A majority of the members actively engaged in farming and owning
a portion of the land they farm.
b. The Governing Body shall appoint representatives from the various
scales of farming and commodities existing in the community to facilitate
a broad spectrum of response and to maintain its knowledge about the
ever-changing practices of this dynamic industry.
c. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the municipal
Governing Body. Each member shall serve a term of three years. Members
shall choose a Chairman, who shall serve as liaison between the Committee
and the Township Committee and Planning Board. The Chairman shall
keep notes of the meeting, which shall be deemed to be the property
of the Township. The Chairman shall serve as the spokesperson for
the Committee in discussions with the Township Committee and Planning
Board.
d. The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall meet on no fewer than four
occasions per year or as needed for the following purposes:
1. To assist the Township Committee in carrying out its duties and responsibilities
by informing it of developments in the farming community that should
be considered when using multiple regulatory and land use powers.
2. To assist the Township Committee in development of ordinances by
reviewing them for impacts upon the farming community, including all
ordinances affecting land use in the Agricultural Development Area
(ADA).
3. To assist the Planning Board in the development for adoption of a
farmland preservation plan element pursuant to paragraph 13 of Section
19 of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28 b(13) and/or an agricultural retention plan
in accordance with applicable ordinances. This plan shall include
at a minimum:
(a)
An inventory of farm properties in the entire municipality and
a map illustrating what the community considers significant areas
of agricultural land.
(b)
A detailed statement showing that municipal plans and ordinances
such as a Right to Farm ordinance and other agricultural viability
ordinances modeled after those provided in the Hunterdon County Environmental
ToolBox to support and promote agriculture as a business.
(c)
A plan for preserving as much farmland as possible in the short
term by leveraging monies made available by the Garden State Preservation
Trust Act N.J.S.A. 13:8C-1 et seq. or other farmland preservation
funding programs through a variety of mechanisms outlined in N.J.A.C.
2:76-17.6(a)3.
(d)
A statement of farming trends, characterizing the type(s) of
agricultural production in the municipality;
(e)
A discussion of plans to enhance the agricultural history in
the municipality.
4. To assist, through consultation, the Planning Board and the Governing
Body in adjustments and amendments to the Farmland Preservation and/or
Agricultural Retention Master Plan Element and the list of farms to
be included in the easement purchase acquisition program.
5. To assist the Planning Board in developing and considering amendments
developed through master plan re-examinations and any other changes
that would have an effect on the viability of farms within the Agricultural
Development Area of the Township.
e. The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall meet with the Township
Committee at least once a year to report on its activities and discussion
and provide the Committee with a summary of the issues it has discussed
and the positions it believes should be advanced on behalf of the
farming community as a whole in the municipality.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 1]
The Pattenburg Rescue Squad Inc. ("Rescue Squad") is hereby
recognized and designated as the First Aid and Rescue Squad of the
Township of Union, which organization is and shall continue to be
eligible to receive funding and other support as permitted by law
from the Township of Union.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 2]
The Pattenburg Rescue Squad Inc. shall provide first aid, rescue
and emergency medical services to the residents of, and visitors to
the Township of Union, and such services to other individuals pursuant
to mutual aid agreements and jurisdictional agreements as may be in
effect from time to time between the Rescue Squad and other emergency
medical services and First Aid and Rescue Squads or their relevant
associations, organizations, or the relevant agencies of the County
of Hunterdon or State of New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 3]
The Pattenburg Rescue Squad Inc. shall be organized and operated
in accordance with its current Constitution and Bylaws as may be amended
from time to time, and also in accordance with such ordinances and
regulations as may be adopted by Union Township that are applicable
to the conduct and operations of the Rescue Squad and other emergency
organizations operating in the Township.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 4]
The Rescue Squad shall, at least annually, provide the Municipal
Clerk with an updated list of the names, addresses and positions of
all members of the rescue squad and their years of service with the
organization.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 5]
The Union Township Committee may make annual voluntary contributions
to the Pattenburg Rescue Squad Inc. in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:5-2
or other applicable law. Whenever such a financial contribution is
made to the Rescue Squad, the Chief Financial Officer of Union Township
shall receive an audit performed by a Certified Public Accountant
or a Registered Municipal Accountant of the Rescue Squad's financial
records for the current year which shall certify to the Union Township
Committee that such records are being maintained in accordance with
sound accounting principles.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 6]
The Union Township Committee may effect and maintain insurance
with any insurance company authorized to do business in this State,
which the Township Committee deems necessary or desirable for the
protection, safety or welfare of Union Township and the Pattenburg
Rescue Squad Inc. The Township Committee may, in its discretion, pay
the entire costs of such insurance or such portion thereof as it may
consider to be advisable.
a. Covering the motor vehicles, equipment and apparatus of the Rescue
Squad against loss or damage however caused, and/or against all liability
arising from the ownership, use or operation of their motor vehicles,
equipment and apparatus.
b. Providing worker's compensation coverage for the volunteers of the
Rescue Squad.
[Ord. No. 2011-14 § 7]
The Pattenburg Rescue Squad Inc., through its appropriate officers,
is hereby authorized to enter into mutual aid and jurisdictional agreements
with other emergency, first aid and rescue organizations or agencies
for the provision of emergency services to any portions of Union Township
not currently covered by the Rescue Squad, subject, however, to the
approval of the Union Township Committee should it choose to exercise
such right of approval.
a. A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in
accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, to reward members
of the Pattenburg Rescue Squad, Inc. ("Rescue Squad" or "PRS") for
their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of Union
Township.
b. The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred
income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set
forth below; and such contributions shall be made in accordance with
a plan that shall be established by the Township of Union pursuant
to P.L. 1977, c. 388; and that such plan shall be administered in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code, and this ordinance.
c. The annual contribution to be made by the Township shall be $600 and shall be given to each individual who has earned a minimum of 80 points as provided for in §
2-42.2 below with an annual automatic cost of living increase based on the CPI (consumer price index).
d. The LOSAP shall not provide for contributions for prior years services.
e. The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:
1. For regular annual services: $12,000 per year.
f. Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer
services provided to the Pattenburg Rescue Squad, Inc. in accordance
with the following schedule:
[Ord. No. 2017-6, adopted
July 19, 2017 and approved by the electorate]
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for
volunteer services provided to the volunteer rescue squad in accordance
with the following schedule:
A year of active emergency service shall be credited under the
plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer member of the
Pattenburg Rescue Squad, Inc. accumulates at least 80 points. Points
shall be granted in accordance with the following system. Such system
shall provide that points shall be granted for the following activities
and upon the approval of the plan administrator:
I.
|
Training Courses
|
|
a.
|
Continuing Education/Training (for maintenance of certification
and EMS electives, includes instructors) — 1 point per class
hour
|
II.
|
Drills — 24 point maximum
|
|
a.
|
Participation in drills hosted by Pattenburg Rescue or with
mutual aid companies — 1 point per drill
|
III.
|
Sleep-In or Stand-By
|
|
a.
|
Duty Crew — Each 12 hour shift dedicated entirely to Pattenburg
Rescue Squad — 1 point (may be represented as a decimal if not
able to devote the entire shift)
|
|
b.
|
Friday/Saturday/Holidays Overnight — Replacing a compensated
staff member on Friday/Saturday/Holiday nights (must stay at building)
— 3 points
|
IV.
|
Elected or Appointed Positions
|
|
Elected or appointed position means line officers (Chief, Deputy
Chief, Lieutenants), administrative officers (President, Vice President,
Treasurer and Secretary)
|
|
a.
|
Completion of 1 year term as Chief — 75 points
|
|
b.
|
Completion of 1 year term as Deputy Chief — 60 points
|
|
c.
|
Completion of 1 year term as President — 75 points
|
|
d.
|
Completion of 1 year term in other or elected positions —
50 points
|
|
e.
|
An active member chosen and serving as a PRS delegate to an
EMS or rescue squad meeting — 1 point per meeting
|
V.
|
Attendance at Meetings
|
|
a.
|
Attendance at any official general membership meetings of the
volunteer rescue squad — 1 point per meeting
|
VI.
|
Participation in Squad Responses:
|
|
a.
|
Responding with duty crew or compensated staff — 2 points
|
|
b.
|
Second Call — Participation for ground transport of patients
(must be documented as Second Call) — 5 points
|
VII.
|
Miscellaneous Activities
|
|
a.
|
Participation in inspections and other activities covered by
the New Jersey Volunteer Length of Service Award Law and not otherwise
listed — 1 point per activity as approved by the LOSAP Committee
|
|
b.
|
Special Events — Participation in medical stand-by dedication
for companies, groups, organizations, churches, parades, shows, exhibitions,
etc. — 3 points
|
|
c.
|
Work Hours — not involving a call (building maintenance,
truck maintenance, cleaning detail, present for Hall/Classroom rentals,
administrative/office work) — 1 point per hour of work
|