There exists in the south central portion of Middlesex County
certain problems of flooding and flood prevention which concern several
municipalities, the County of Middlesex and other governmental bodies.
Said problems were highlighted by recent storms which affected
a large section of Middlesex County.
The various governmental units affected by such drainage basin
recognize the need for cooperative efforts to prevent future floods
and to alleviate flooding and flood hazards.
N.J.S.A. 40:14-16 et seq., authorizes the establishment of a
Joint Flood Control Commission and provides that the participating
municipalities and counties may enter into such a commission and may
define and limit the areas of responsibility and authority of such
a commission and may set forth the terms under which appropriations
shall be made by the participating municipalities and counties.
The Township Council is of the opinion that the creation of
a joint flood control commission to be known as the "South Central
Middlesex County Flood Control Commission" is in the best interests
of the Township of Monroe.
The Township of Monroe agrees to participate in the creation
of and operation of the South Central Middlesex County Flood Control
Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:14-16 et seq. as follows:
A. The municipalities invited to participate in said commission are:
Borough of Helmetta, Borough of Jamesburg, Borough of Spotswood, Borough
of South River, Township of Monroe, Township of Old Bridge and Township
of East Brunswick.
B. The South Central Middlesex County Flood Control Commission shall
be established in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:14-16 et seq.
C. The South Central Middlesex County Flood Control Commission shall:
(1) Collect, study and analyze data on flooding, past floods and the
cause of floods in the area;
(2) Make such data and studies available to the participating members,
to the Division of Water Policy and Supply, the Army Corps of Engineers,
local and county Planning Boards and officials concerned with subdivisions
and development of properties within the floodway and drainage areas;
(3) Keep itself informed as to the availability of state and federal
funds and grants and the procedures for applying therefore, and shall
make such information available to participating members;
(4) Coordinate the activities of the participating members relating to
flooding, flood prevention, brook cleaning and the like;
(5) Encourage the acquisition of lands within the floodway and low-lying
areas by appropriate county park commissions, counties or participating
municipalities;
(6) Publicize methods of flood control and flood prevention;
(7) Encourage its participating members to adopt appropriate ordinances
and regulations relating to flood control;
(8) Encourage its participating members to support other programs designed
or intended to alleviate flooding;
(9) Perform such other acts and fulfill such other functions as may be
permitted by law and as determined by the members, subject to the
limitations in this ordinance and subject to the limitations as set
forth in N.J.S.A. 40:14-16 et seq.
D. Appropriations.
(1) The general, administrative and other expenses of the Commission,
affecting the Commission as a whole, shall be apportioned among the
members in a manner to be determined by the members, not later than
120 days after the appointment of all representatives by the participating
municipalities.
(2) Whenever a specific project is to be undertaken involving less than
the interests of all of the participating members, or of special benefit
to less than all of the participating members, the apportionment of
the costs thereof shall be agreed upon by the participating members
specially benefited thereby in advance of authorization of such project.
(3) The apportionments may be changed by agreement among the participating
municipalities and counties, provided, however, that there shall be
no increase in the percentage to be contributed by any participant
without the consent of the governing body of such participating member.
E. Budget. The tentative annual budget for the Commission shall be adopted
by the Commission no later than 120 days after the appointment of
all representatives by the participating municipalities.
F. Operating procedures. The operating procedures of the Commission
shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission,
but not later than 120 days after the appointment of all representatives
by the participating municipalities.
G. Withdrawal. Each member municipality and county reserves the right
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:14-17d to withdraw from the Commission; provided,
however, that at least 90 days notice of such intention is given to
the Commission; and provided, further, that such withdrawal after
the adoption of the Commission budget for a given year shall not abrogate
the responsibility of the municipality or county to meet its obligations
under the budget for such year.