[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 20-08. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to the power conferred to this municipality in N.J.S.A. 40:48-2 and N.J.S.A. 40:69A-30, there is hereby established a Veterans Advisory Committee to support, recognize, and honor the servicemen and servicewomen of all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The term "Committee," when used by itself in this chapter, shall refer to the Bridgewater Township Veterans Advisory Committee.
A. 
The Committee shall consist of seven members, each of whom may or may not be residents of the Township of Bridgewater. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Township Council. Members shall be appointed for a term of three calendar years from the date of appointment. The initial appointment terms will be staggered in order to prevent all seven members' terms from expiring at the same time. Initial appointments will contain two one-year terms, two two-year terms and three three-year terms. In the event of a vacancy prior to the expiration of member's term, the Mayor shall appoint, with advice and consent of the Council, a resident qualified member to fill the vacancy.
B. 
Notwithstanding Subsection A of this section, the Veterans Advisory Committee shall contain at least one of the following:
(1) 
An active duty or reserve member of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States of America;
(2) 
A family member of an active duty member of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States of America; and
(3) 
A member in good standing of an incorporated veterans organization.
The membership of the Committee shall appoint from among their membership a chairperson who shall preside of meetings of the Committee. The Committee may approve bylaws for conduct of its business that are consistent with this chapter and any other relevant legal provision.
A. 
The Committee shall advise the Mayor and the Township Council on ways and means to support, recognize, and honor the servicemen and servicewomen of the Armed Forces of the United States.
B. 
The Committee is encouraged to engage and collaborate with civic organizations, government entities, and community groups to effectuate the purpose of support, recognize, and honor veterans of all service branches of the United States military.
C. 
The Committee shall be authorized and encouraged to apply for and to accept grants and contributions under the auspices of and through the Township of Bridgewater from public and private sources to finance its initiatives. The Committee shall make no expenditure or commitment of Township funds without the specific authorization of the Council, except that the Mayor, to the extent of staff availability, may authorize administrative staff support for grant applications and publicity.