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Township of Fairfield, NJ
Essex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[1]
Editor's Note: For Statutory Authority, see N.J.S.A. 40:50A et seq.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1]
The Township of Fairfield Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:50A to 40:56A5), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972, for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within Township.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1a, b; Ord. No. 2011-14]
a. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a Class IV member of the Township Planning Board, all of whom shall be residents of the Township. The members shall serve without compensation. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Commission. There shall be two alternate members appointed to the Commission.
b. 
The terms of office of the Commissioners, first appointed, shall be staggered for one, two or three years, designated at the time of appointment, so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year. Successor terms shall be for three years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of the Original appointment to be made as provided by Subsection a. The first members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:
Two members for the term expiring December 31, 1990;
Two members for the term expiring December 31, 1991;
Three members for the term expiring December 31, 1992.
c. 
Designation of Alternate Members. The Alternate Commissioners shall be designed at the time of appointment by the authority appointing them as "Alternate 1" and "Alternate 2."
[Ordinance No. 2011-14 adopted April 26, 2011]
d. 
Terms of Alternate Members. The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the Alternate Commissioner first appointed shall be two years and shall be one year for Alternate Commissioner 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. Thereafter, Alternate Commissioners' terms shall be two years.
[Ordinance No. 2011-14, adopted April 26, 2011]
e. 
The Mayor and Governing Body may remove any member of the Commission for cause on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon of which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1c]
The Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes and may advertise, prepare a print and distribute books, news releases, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes, as budgetary allowances permit. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including wet or marshlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and may recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the municipal master plan and the development and use of such areas.
In exercising the powers set forth above, and as set forth in Subsection 2-18.4 below, the Commission shall coordinate its activities with the Township departments having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the activity and shall advise the department head of the department of the research, study or other activity having an effect upon the department in order to coordinate such efforts with the applicable department.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1d, e, f]
a. 
The Commission shall have 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, traffic, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna. The Commission may seek grants and accept gifts in the name of the Township of Fairfield, to be used in furtherance of the purposes of this Commission.
b. 
The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, acquire property both real and personal, in the name of the Township of Fairfield, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise of lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance of gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or 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 space and other land and water areas in the municipality.
c. 
The Commission may perform such other advisory duties as are requested of it by the Township Council for aid and assistance in environmental areas.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1g]
The Commission shall meet as often as business may require, but no less than once per month. Its meetings shall be open to the public and a meeting schedule shall be published in the same manner as meetings are published for the Planning Board.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1h]
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities. An annual report shall be made to the Mayor and Council and shall be submitted no later than the first day in November of each year. The Governing Body may appropriate funds in its annual budget for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission.
[Ord. No. 979 § 1i]
The Commission may hire advisors and/or consultants as it may require, providing the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township Council or available through other ordinances established in the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection 2-18.8, Mandatory Membership; Construction Code Official, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 95-04, was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2003-02.
[Ord. No. 986 § 1]
The Township of Fairfield Municipal Alliance Committee is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 531 of the Laws of 1983, and as amended by Chapter 51 of Public Law 1989, for the purpose of identifying alcoholism and drug prevention, education and community needs. The Committee also shall implement the Alliance programs formulated pursuant to Section 8 of Public Law 1989, Chapter 51.
[Ord. No. 986 § 1a; Ord. No. 94-1 § 1]
The Township Council shall appoint Committee members. Membership on the Municipal Alliance Committee may include the Chief of Police; the President of the School Board; the Superintendent of Schools; a student assistance coordinator; a representative of the Parent-Teacher Association; a representative of the local bargaining unit for teachers; a representative of the Chamber of Commerce; a Municipal Court Judge; representatives of local civic associations; representatives of local religious groups; and private citizens. The Committee shall designate one of its members to serve as Chairperson and presiding officer of the Committee.
[Ord. No. 986 § 1b; Ord. No. 2001-1 §§ 1, 2]
The terms of office of members of the Committee shall be for a period of two years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of the original appointment. The Mayor or Township Council may remove any member of the Committee for cause, following the filing of written charges served upon the member, and after a hearing thereon at which the Committee member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
Following passage of this subsection, the Governing Body shall designate 1/2 of the existing Committee members to serve two year terms as provided herein (expiring December 31, 2002) and 1/2 of the existing Committee members to serve one year terms (expiring December 31, 2001) with all appointments being effective January 1, 2001. All appointments thereafter starting with appointments effective January 2002, shall be for a two-year term. The within provision shall assure that the terms of all members of the Committee do not expire in any given year.
[Ord. No. 986 § 1c]
The Committee may apply for and receive monies from the Local Advisory Committee which shall be used to implement the goals stated above. The Municipal Alliance Committee shall act in consultation with the Local Advisory Committee. The Township Council may match any funds it receives from the Alliance.
[Ord. No. 94-4 § 2]
The Committee Chairperson shall have the following duties:
a. 
Report in writing to the Mayor and Council at least quarterly. The report shall include information regarding grants applied for, grants received, activities engaged in, and a summary of expenses.
b. 
Schedule the regular meetings of the Committee for the year in question as determined by a majority of the Committee at the Committee's annual reorganizational meeting and cause same to be published in the Township's designated newspapers.
c. 
If a Special Meeting is called for by a majority of the Committee, the Chairperson shall schedule the special meeting and arrange for public notification of same. The Chairperson shall notify all members of the Committee of the time and place of the special meeting.
d. 
Preside over all meetings of the Committee and rule on calls of procedure and order which must be consistent with any bylaws or similar written guidelines which may be established by the Committee.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 2-20, Business Advisory Commission, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 2000-06, was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2001-02.
[1969 Code § 51-1; Ord. No. 683; Ord. No. 92-29 § 1; Ord. No. 95-19]
There is hereby established and created a Municipal Pool Advisory Committee of the Township, the members of which shall be appointed by the Township Council.
[1969 Code § 51-2; Ord. No. 683; Ord. No. 979 § 1; Ord. No. 95-19; Ord. No. 2000-03]
The Committee shall consist of three residents of the Township of Fairfield to be appointed by the Council. The term of all members shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms only.
[1969 Code § 51-3; Ord. No. 683; Ord. No. 95-19]
The Committee shall serve without salary or other compensation.
[1969 Code § 51-4; Ord. No. 683; Ord. No. 95-19]
The Committee is hereby authorized to advise the Director of Recreation regarding the management, operation, regulation and improvement of the municipal swimming pool. It shall act in an advisory capacity only.
[1969 Code § 55A-1; Ord. No. 664]
The purpose of this section is to provide an efficient means for the enforcement of rules and regulations regulating the making of connections to and regulating the discharge into the sanitary sewer system within the Township operated by the Pequannock, Lincoln Park and Fairfield Sewerage Authority pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:14A-23 and Section 502 of the service agreement between the Township of Fairfield and the Pequannock, Lincoln Park and Fairfield Sewerage Authority.
[1969 Code § 55A-2; Ord. No. 664]
a. 
Any person, firm, partnership or corporation violating any rules, regulations or emergency proclamations of the Pequannock, Lincoln Park and Fairfield Sewerage Authority within the Township of Fairfield shall be subject to punishment by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine not to exceed $500, or both, for each violation, and the Municipal Court of the Borough of Fairfield shall have jurisdiction in actions for the violations of such rules and regulations, which shall be enforced by like proceedings and processes as those provided by law for the enforcement of ordinances of the municipality. In the event of a continuing violation, each day the violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation.
b. 
The officers authorized by law to serve and execute processes in the Municipal Court shall be the officers to serve and execute any processes issued out of the Municipal Court for violations of the rules and regulations of the Authority.
c. 
The administrator of the Authority is hereby designated as the enforcement officer of this section.
[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance No. 92-37.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
There is hereby created in the Township of Fairfield a Board of Recreation Commissioners consisting of nine members. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor. All members shall be citizens and residents of the Township of Fairfield. One of the nine members shall be the liaison between the Council and the Commission designated by the Mayor.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
All appointments except the Council liaison shall be for a term of three years, except that the initial appointments shall be effective January 1, 1998 and shall be as follows: three members for three year terms; three members for two year terms and two members for one year terms. The Council liaison shall be subject to appointment by the Mayor at yearly intervals. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and shall qualify.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
The members shall receive no compensation for their services.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
The Board of Recreation Commissioners shall have such power as set forth as follows:
a. 
Games and Exhibitions; Admission Fees; No Charge for Children.
1. 
In order to provide the funds, in whole or in part, necessary to improve, maintain and police the playgrounds or recreation places under its control, and to support recreational programs in the Township, the Board of Recreation Commissioners may arrange and provide for the giving of exhibitions, plays, concerts, games, contests and programs, and may use and employ such playgrounds or recreation places for the purpose of giving thereon exhibitions, plays, concerts, games, contests and programs.
2. 
The Board may charge and collect a reasonable admission fee, for the benefit of the Township, for each person entering such playground or recreation place as a spectator during the time or times when the same is being used or employed for such purposes, but shall not use or employ any such playground or recreation place for such purpose for a greater period than a ratio of one hour to every two hours in each day during which the playground or recreation places are utilized for more than 16 hours in any one calendar week, and when any such playground or recreation place is used for such purpose no admission fee shall be charged or collected from children under 12 years of age.
3. 
The Board of Recreation Commissioners may charge and collect a reasonable service charge from persons using, as participants, special areas and facilities, which require special maintenance and the use of which is restricted to relatively few people, in order to assist in the meeting of the operating costs, thereof in whole or in part.
b. 
Control of Grounds; Preservation of Order.
1. 
The Board of Recreation Commissioners shall propose, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, suitable rules, regulations, and bylaws for the use of all playgrounds and recreation places and the conduct of any and all persons while on or using same. Any person who shall violate any such rules, regulations or bylaws shall be deemed and adjudged to be a disorderly person.
c. 
General Duties and Powers. In addition to the duties and powers previously delineated, the Board of Recreation Commissioners shall:
1. 
Recommend to the Mayor and Council for adoption, appropriate policies, rules, regulations and fees for the use of all playgrounds and recreation facilities of the Township and for the conduct of all persons while on or using same;
2. 
Plan, design, oversee, organize and operate, in collaboration with the Department of Recreation, age-specific recreation programs provided by the Township for its citizens, including but not limited to budget planning, the organization of leagues and teams, the appointment of staff and volunteer coaches, and the acquisition and maintenance of recreation and athletic equipment;
3. 
Establish proper procedure for the establishment and collection, for the benefit of the Township, of all fees associated with the use of recreational facilities, and associated with Township recreational programs, in compliance with State and municipal requirements;
4. 
Collaborate with, and make recommendations to, the Director of Human Services, as it relates to senior citizens' recreation activities;
5. 
Recommend grant and funding opportunities available to assist the Township in the expansion and improvement of age-specific recreation programs and facilities;
6. 
Recommend to the Mayor and Council improvements to all Township parks and recreational facilities.
7. 
Recommend to the Township Administrator items regarding maintenance of all Township parks and recreational facilities, the responsibility for which remains with the Township.
8. 
Perform such other duties as may otherwise be directed by the Mayor and Council.
9. 
Recommend to the Mayor and Council for adoption bylaws for the conduct of the business of the Commission including the selection of officers.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
There is hereby established within the Township a Recreation Board of Appeals. Appeals from determinations made by the Recreation Commission regarding participation in recreation programs may be made by participants or coaches to the Recreation Board of Appeals. Said Board shall consist of three members, who shall serve one year terms. One member shall be a member of the Recreation Commission and be appointed by the Commission, one member shall be the Governing Body's liaison to the Recreation Commission and the third member shall be a public member selected by the Mayor and Council on a calendar year basis. In the event of recusal of the Governing Body's liaison to the Recreation Commission, the Mayor, or the Mayor's designee from the Governing Body, shall hear the given appeal. In the event of the recusal of the public member, the Mayor shall designate an alternate public member to hear the given appeal.
[Ord. No. 98-01 § 2]
An appeal from a determination made by the Recreation Commission must be filed in writing with the Township Clerk within 15 days of the action of the Commission being appealed from. The written appeal must state the determination being appealed from, the basis of the appeal and the relief sought. A copy of the appeal shall be served by the Township Clerk upon the Chairman of the Recreation Commission. The Commission or any of its members may file a reply to the appeal with the Township Clerk no less than seven days prior to its hearing date. The Recreation Board of Appeals shall meet to review each appeal within 30 days of its filing. Those with an interest in the determination being appealed from may address the Board of Appeals at said hearing but shall not be permitted to compel the appearance of others. The Board of Appeals may confer privately in reaching its determination, which decision shall be rendered in writing within 15 days of the last hearing date. The decision of a majority of the Board of Appeals shall be final.
[Ord. No. 94-5 § 1]
There is hereby established a Local Assistance Board of the Township of Fairfield which shall be appointed by nomination of the Mayor and consent of the Council. The members shall serve without compensation but shall be allowed their necessary and actual expenses.
[Ord. No. 94-5 § 1]
The Local Assistance Board shall consist of five members. At least one member must be a woman. One member may also be appointed from the membership of the Township Council.
[Ord. No. 94-5 § 1]
a. 
The term for a member who is also a member of the Township Council shall be for one year.
b. 
The terms for all members other than as specified above in Subsection a, shall be for four years each and one term shall expire each year.
c. 
The terms for each member shall begin the first day of January in each year and each member shall continue in office until his/her successor shall be appointed and shall qualify. (See N.J.S.A. 44:8-116)
[Ord. No. 94-5 § 1]
a. 
The Board shall organize and select a Chairperson, Secretary, and Director of Welfare.
b. 
The Director of Welfare shall be the first executive and administrative officer of the Board. The Director shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of his/her appointment and shall be paid such salary as may be fixed by such Board subject to the approval by the Township Council. The Director may also be the overseer of the poor of the municipality.
c. 
In case of vacancy in the office of Director of Welfare, the Board may appoint one temporary or acting Director for not more than 90 days.
d. 
Other employees, including assistants, clerks, investigators and nurses, in such number as may be necessary to properly administer public assistance shall be appointed in the same manner as other employees of the municipality.
e. 
No employee of any welfare department of the Township whose compensation is paid from funds received or appropriated shall hold any office in any political party. (See N.J.S.A. 44:8-177)
[Ord. No. 97-19 § 1]
There is hereby established and created an Historic Committee of the Township of Fairfield, the members of which shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
[Ord. No. 97-19 § 2]
a. 
Said Committee shall consist of no less than five residents of the Township of Fairfield. The term of all members shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms only.
b. 
The term of each member, except for the initial term, shall begin on the first day of January, and each member shall continue in office until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified.
[Ord. No. 97-19 § 3]
a. 
The Committee shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary at its organizational meeting in January, which officers shall serve for terms of one year and shall remain in office until their successors are appointed.
b. 
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all the meetings of the Committee, which minutes and copies of official correspondence of the Committee shall be kept on file in the office of the Township Clerk.
[Ord. No. 97-19 § 4]
The Committee Members shall serve without salary or other compensation.
[Ord. No. 97-19 § 5]
The Committee shall meet regularly as decided by the Committee and as may be directed by the Mayor and Council to perform the following functions:
a. 
To advise the Mayor and Council regarding matters of historic significance to the Township;
b. 
To conduct, with the approval of the Mayor and Council, educational, informational and celebratory functions and events in order to promote historic preservation;
c. 
To recommend to the Mayor and Council programs in connection with utilization of the Peter VanNess House, and to conduct said programs as may be authorized and directed by the Mayor and Council.
[Ord. No. 97-20 § 1]
There is hereby established the Fairfield Video Communications Committee. The Committee shall consist of five members who shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council. The Mayor or their designee, shall serve as liaison between the Governing Body and the Committee.
[Ord. No. 97-20 § 2]
The appointment and terms of the members of the Committee shall be as follows:
a. 
The members of the Committee shall serve for a period of three years, except that the respective terms of office of the originally appointed members shall be as follows:
1. 
Two members shall serve for terms of three years.
2. 
Two members shall serve for terms of two years.
3. 
One member shall serve for a term of one year.
b. 
The term of each member, except for the initial term, shall begin on the first day of January, and each member shall continue in office until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified.
[Ord. No. 97-20 § 3]
a. 
The Video Communications Committee shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary at its organizational meeting in January, which officers shall serve for terms of one year and shall remain in office until their successors are appointed.
b. 
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all the meetings of the Committee, which minutes and copies of official correspondence of the Committee shall be kept on file in the office of the Township Clerk.
[Ord. No. 97-20 § 4]
The Video Communications Committee shall hold regular monthly meetings in the Township Municipal Building as set at its organizational meeting, which meeting shall be open to the public unless closed to the public by the Committee pursuant to an exception authorized under the Open Public Meetings Act.[1] Special meetings may be called by the Chairman on three days' notice to each member of the Committee, or at the request of the Mayor or Governing Body. The Committee may make and amend rules and regulations concerning the conduct of its meetings.
[1]
N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
[Ord. No. 97-20 § 5]
The Video Communications Committee shall have the following powers and duties:
a. 
To make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for improvement of communications within the Township.
b. 
To monitor the performance of the cable franchisee and report to the Mayor and Council with reference to the franchise and any renewal thereof.
c. 
To provide assistance to the Administrator in the operation of a local access channel within the Township of Fairfield, subject to the establishment of rules and regulations by the Committee which are to be approved by the Mayor and Council by resolution, which resolution may be modified from time to time. Such rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to access to the equipment and facility; procedures and criteria for programs and broadcasts; training and use of volunteers in connection with the operation of the local cable channel; access by citizens; procedures for posting of bulletins; and other policies and procedures necessary to operate the channel.
d. 
To recommend to the Governing Body a method of training Township staff volunteers, students and Committee members who may then become authorized to operate and use the cable equipment. The training program is to be approved by the Governing Body by resolution, which may be amended from time to time, and implemented by the Committee.
e. 
To maintain an inventory, in the office of the Township Clerk, of the video equipment owned by the Township and a separate list of the equipment owned by others but utilized by the Township.
f. 
To submit an annual proposed budget to the Township Administrator for the purchase of equipment and supplies.
g. 
To submit to the Governing Body an annual report of the programs and activities of the Committee undertaken during the prior year.
h. 
The Committee's role shall be expanded to examine all communication vehicles which may hold promise for the community.