See now Ordinance No. 2014-11 §§ 2, 4 and Chapter 12 of the Princeton Township Code.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
(a) 
There is hereby established a housing authority consisting of seven members. Five members shall be appointed by the governing body, one by the mayor, and one by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The members shall serve for terms of five years and until their respective successors have been appointed and qualified; except that of the five members first appointed by the governing body one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of five years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made, but for the unexpired term.
(b) 
No more than one member of the housing authority may be an officer or employee of the appointing municipality. A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any member shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality and that certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of that member. A member of an authority shall receive no compensation for his services, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of the duties of membership, including travel expenses.
The powers of the authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time. Four members shall constitute a quorum of the authority for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and all other purposes. Action may be taken by the authority upon the affirmative vote of the majority, but not less than four of the members present, unless in any case the bylaws of the authority shall require a larger number. The authority shall select a chairperson and a vicechairperson from among its members, and shall employ an executive director, who shall be its secretary.
See now Ordinance No. 2014-17 § 3 and this Code Chapter 12.
[Ord. No. 2012-19; Ord. No. 2020-4; Ord. No. 2021-25]
There is hereby established a Human Services Commission consisting of nine members and one non-voting liaison from the governing body. On the initial appointment to the Commission, three members shall be appointed for a one-year term; three members shall be appointed for a two-year term; and three members shall be appointed for a three-year term. All reappointments shall be for a term of three years.
See now Ordinance No. 2014-16 §§ 2 and 3 and Chapter 18, Libraries, of the Princeton Code.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
(a) 
There is hereby established a Board of Health consisting of seven members, who shall be appointed by the mayor and council. On the initial appointment to the board, two members shall be appointed for one year, two members shall be appointed for two years, and three members shall be appointed for three years. All reappointments shall be for a term of three years. The mayor and council also will appoint two alternates who shall hold office for a term of 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. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by the expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only. The alternates will be designated as "Alternate 1" and "Alternate 2", respectively, at the time of appointment.
(b) 
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if requested, be removed by the governing body for cause.
(c) 
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. 2012-19]
A. 
There is hereby established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. in Princeton a Planning Board of nine members consisting of the following four classes:
(1) 
Class I: The Mayor, or the Mayor's designee in the absence of the Mayor.
(2) 
Class II: one of the officials of the municipality other than a member of the governing body to be appointed by the Mayor; provided that if there is a member of the Environmental Commission who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 he shall be deemed to be the Class II Planning Board member if there is both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education among the Class IV members.
(3) 
Class III: a member of the governing body to be appointed by it.
(4) 
Class IV: six other citizens of the municipality to be appointed by the Mayor. The members of Class IV shall hold no other municipal office, except that one member may be a member of the Board of Adjustment and one may be a member of the Board of Education. A member of the Environmental Commission who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 shall be a Class IV Planning Board member unless there be among the Class IV members of the Planning Board both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education, in which case the member of the Environmental Commission shall be deemed to be the Class II member of the Planning Board.
B. 
Alternates: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23.1, there are hereby created two alternate memberships to the Princeton Planning Board. Alternate members shall be appointed by the appointing authority for Class IV members and shall meet the qualifications for Class IV members of the nine-member Planning Board. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the Mayor as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members shall be such that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year; provided, however, that in no instance shall the terms of the alternate members first appointed exceed two years. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.
(1) 
No alternate member shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
(2) 
Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of any class. 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.
(3) 
All regular and alternate members except the Class II member shall be residents of Princeton.
(4) 
Except as otherwise permitted class IV members and alternate members shall hold no other municipal office. For purposes of this section membership on a municipal board or commission whose function is advisory in nature, and the establishment of which is discretionary and not required by statute, shall not be considered the holding of municipal office.
(a) 
When any hearing before the planning board shall carry over to two or more meetings, a member or alternate member of the board who was absent for one or more of the meetings, who is otherwise eligible to vote, shall be eligible to vote on the matter upon which the hearing was conducted, notwithstanding his or her absence from one or more of the meetings; provided, however, that such member has available a transcript or recording of the meeting from which he or she was absent and certifies, in writing, to the board that he or she has read such transcript or listened to such recording.
(b) 
Members of the planning board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses authorized in advance and incurred in the performance of their duties.
(c) 
No member shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has, directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(d) 
Except for members exempted by statute from this requirement, any person who serves as a member or alternate member of the planning board shall be required to complete an approved basic course in land-use law and planning within 18 months of his or her appointment.
C. 
Terms.
(1) 
The term of the member composing Class I shall correspond with the Mayor's official tenure or if the member is the Mayor's designee in the absence of the Mayor, the designee shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor during the Mayor's official tenure. The terms of the members composing Class II and Class III shall be for one year or terminate at the completion of their respective terms of office, whichever occurs first.
(2) 
The terms of all Class IV members first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of such term shall be evenly distributed over the first four years after their appointment as determined by resolution of the Township Council; provided, however, that no term of any member shall exceed four years and further provided that nothing herein shall affect the term of any present member of the Planning Board, all of whom shall continue in office until the completion of the term for which they were appointed. Thereafter, all Class IV members shall be appointed for terms of four years except as otherwise herein provided. All terms shall run from January 1 of the year in which the appointment was made.
(3) 
The term of any alternate member shall be two years, and their terms shall be staggered.
(4) 
Removal from Office. Any member including an alternate member of the planning board, other than the class I member may be removed by the council for cause, after a public hearing, if he or she requests one.
(5) 
Vacancies. If a vacancy in any class of the planning board shall occur other than by expiration of the term, it shall be filled by appointment, as provided herein, for the unexpired term.
D. 
Organization of the Board.
(1) 
The planning board shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from the members of Class IV, select a secretary who may or may not be a member or alternate member of the planning board or a municipal employee, and create and fill such other offices as established by ordinance. An alternate member shall not serve as chairman or vice chairman of the planning board.
(2) 
The planning board may annually appoint, fix the compensation of or agree upon the rate of compensation of the planning board attorney, who shall be an attorney other than the township attorney.
E. 
Members of board of adjustment serving as temporary members of the planning board.
(1) 
If the planning board lacks a quorum because any of its regular or alternate members is prohibited by subsection b of section 14 of P.L. 1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-23) or section 13 of P.L. 1979, c.216 (C.40:55D-23.1) from acting on a matter due to the member's personal or financial interests therein, regular members of the board of adjustment shall be called upon to serve, for that matter only, as temporary members of the planning board in order of seniority of continuous service to the board of adjustment until there are the minimum number of members necessary to constitute a quorum to act upon the matter without any personal or financial interest therein, whether direct or indirect. If a choice has to be made between regular members of equal seniority, the chairman of the board of adjustment shall make the choice.
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-01 repealed prior § B2-73, Site Plan Review Advisory Board. History includes Ord. No. 2012-19.
Reserved by Ord. No. 2016-13 § 3. See Princeton Township Code Chapter 5A.1 for Construction Board of Appeals provisions.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
Historic Preservation Commission Established. An agency to be known as the historic preservation commission is hereby established. The commission shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members who shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the governing body.
(1) 
At least one member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall belong to each of the following classes:
CLASS A - A person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside the municipality; and
CLASS B - At least one person who is knowledgeable or with a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside outside the municipality.
CLASS C - Those regular members who are not designated as Class A or B. Class C members shall be the citizens of the municipality who shall hold no other office, position or employment in the municipality except for membership on the planning board or board of adjustment. If possible, Class C members shall be knowledgeable in local history, history of landscape design, archaeology, architectural history, or building design. At least one of the regular members shall, if possible, be an owner of a residence within a historic preservation district. At least one of the Class A or B members shall, if possible, be a member of the site plan review advisory board. Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members.
(2) 
Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members. The mayor with the advice of the governing body shall appoint all members of the Historic Preservation Commission and shall designate at the time of appointment the regular members by class and the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2". Of the regular members first appointed, one shall have a term of one year, one shall have a term of two years, one shall have a term of three years, and four shall have a term of four years; and, in the case of alternate members, Alternate No. 2 shall have a term of one year and Alternate No. 1 shall have a term of two years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years, and the term of an alternate member shall be two years. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only in the same manner as the initial appointment subject to the continuing requirements concerning the appointment of members. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the historic preservation commission and the planning board shall be for the terms of membership on the planning board; and the term of any member common to the historic preservation commission and the board of adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the board of adjustment.
(3) 
The historic preservation commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from its members and select a municipal employee for a secretary who would work for the Commission.
(4) 
Alternate members 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.
(5) 
No member shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(6) 
A member may, after public hearing if he or she requests it, be removed by the governing body for cause including but not limited to failure to attend regular Commission meetings.
(7) 
Members shall serve without compensation but may, within budgetary limitations, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred.
(8) 
The governing body shall appoint annually one of its members as liaison to the commission. Said liaison shall not be considered a member of the commission and shall not vote on commission matters.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
A. 
Zoning board of adjustment established; composition; terms, vacancies; disqualification of members; alternate members. The zoning board of adjustment is hereby established pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law as the board of adjustment for the municipality.
(1) 
The board shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members.
(2) 
Regular members shall be appointed by the governing body for terms of four years each, computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment; except that full terms of regular members filled for the first time under this chapter shall be so fixed (for four or less years) and so arranged that, to the greatest practicable extent, the expiration of all terms of regular members will be distributed evenly over the first four years after the initial appointment under this chapter.
(3) 
Alternate members shall also be appointed by the governing body, and their terms shall be two years each, computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment, except that of the appointments to alternate membership first made under this chapter, one shall be for a term of one year.
(4) 
A vacancy occurring in either type of membership otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
(5) 
No regular or alternate member may hold any elective office or position under the municipality nor shall any member be permitted to act on any matter in which he has, directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(6) 
Alternate members shall be designated by the governing body at the time of their appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(7) 
Alternate members 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.
B. 
Officers. The board of adjustment shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its members and shall also select a secretary, who may but need not be a member of the board.
See now Ordinance No. 2014-13 §§ 2, 3 and Chapter 27A of the Princeton Borough Code.
[Reserved by Ord. No. 2015-45 § 2]
[Reserved by Ord. No. 2014-41]
[Ord. No. 2012-19; Ord. No. 2016-14 § 1; Ord. No. 2019-5; amended 2-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-8; 11-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-36; 3-14-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
There is hereby established a Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee consisting of seven regular members and two alternate members, plus one non-voting liaison from the governing body, one non-voting liaison from the school district, and such other non-voting liaisons consisting of staff and/or other resource persons as may be appropriate. The regular members shall be appointed to three year terms except that the initial appointment shall be staggered so that no more than two terms expire each year.
The responsibilities and authority of the Committee shall be as dictated by the Council from time to time, as may be necessary, and shall include providing research and advice to Council on matters relating to policies and facilities which promote and enhance the safety, comfort, and convenience of bicyclists, pedestrians, and other users of micro-mobility.
[Ord. No. 2012-19; amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-35]
There is hereby established a Sewer Committee consisting of two regular members, at least one of which with civil engineering or municipal waste experience, and two voting liaison members from the governing body. Of the two regular members, initially one shall be appointed for two years and one shall be appointed for three years. Thereafter, each appointment shall be for a term of three years. The liaison representatives shall be appointed annually by the governing body and serve a one-year term.
[Ord. No. 2012-19; amended 3-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02]
(a) 
Formation; composition; terms, vacancies; compensation.
(1) 
There is hereby established an advisory board to be known as the Affordable Housing Board, whose overall purpose shall be to monitor the compliance of the municipality in providing housing for very-low-, low-, and moderate-income families under its Mount Laurel obligation.
(2) 
The board shall consist of seven regular members and up to three alternate members appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. At least one regular member shall be a member of the council. All members of the board shall be residents of Princeton during their tenure.
(3) 
The term of the council member shall be one year. The terms of the remaining regular and alternate members shall be three years, computed from the first day of January of the year of appointment, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be staggered so that to the greatest extent possible, no more than three terms shall expire each year. If a vacancy occurs among such members, it shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members shall serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors have been appointed and qualified.
Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment as "alternate number 1," "alternate number 2" and "alternate number 3." Alternate members may participate in discussions but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. Alternates shall be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum of the board. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, alternate members shall vote in the order of their numerical designation.
(4) 
All members shall serve without salary, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(b) 
Officers. The board shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. Their terms of office shall be one year, and they shall be eligible for reelection. The board shall also elect a secretary, who may but need not be a member of the board, and it may create and fill such other offices as it shall determine.
(c) 
Powers and responsibilities. With the assistance of the housing manager, the board shall:
(1) 
Review regulations pertaining to the sale, rental, resale and re-renting of affordable housing units.
(2) 
Prepare recommendations for amendments and additions to regulations as it deems necessary or appropriate to implement the purpose of the affordable housing program.
(3) 
Make recommendations to the council for approval of buyers of affordable housing units.
(4) 
Make recommendations to the council regarding how municipal funds or housing trust funds should be spent and propose priorities for such expenditures.
(5) 
Review all affirmative marketing plans for all housing in the affordable housing program.
(6) 
Provide annual reports to the council, courts (if applicable), Fair Share Housing Center, and federal, state and local agencies as required regarding activities undertaken in furtherance of the municipality's implementation of its affordable housing plan.
See now Ordinance No. 2014-26 §§ 1, 2 and Chapter 22 of the Princeton Township Code.
[Ord. No. 2012-19; Ord. No. 2018-1]
(a) 
There is hereby established a Citizens' Finance Advisory Committee consisting of six members and a minimum of one non-voting liaison from the Governing Body. Appropriate municipal staff as designated by the Administrator shall be assigned to attend meetings of the Committee.
(b) 
The members should have, but are not required to have, experience in one of the following disciplines: accounting, business administration, finance, corporate financial planning, marketing research, marketing, economics or computer science.
(c) 
Members shall serve for a term of three years computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment, except that terms filled for the first time shall be so fixed (for three years or less) and arranged so that, to the greatest practicable extent, no more than two members' terms shall expire in the same year.
(d) 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
(e) 
The members shall serve without compensation.
(f) 
The Mayor is hereby authorized and empowered to adjust the terms of the current members of the citizens finance advisory committee as needed to ensure that no more than two members' terms shall expire in the same year.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
There is hereby established a Flood and Storm Water Commission consisting of seven members, including one member of the Environmental Commission and one member from the governing body. There shall also be a non-voting liaison from the Engineering Department. The regular members shall be appointed to three-year terms except that the initial appointments shall be staggered so that no more than three regular member terms expire each year.
[Ord. No. 2012-19; reserved by Ord. No. 2017-2]
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
There is hereby established a Public Safety Committee consisting of four members, including the mayor and administrator, both ex officio, and two members of the governing body. The terms of the appointed members shall expire on the first day of January next following their appointments, but they shall serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in any of the appointive offices shall be filled in like manner, but for the unexpired term only. One of the appointed members shall be designated as the police commissioner, and in that capacity such member shall be the chairperson of the public safety committee. The public safety committee shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law.
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2019-5 repealed § B2-88, Complete Streets Committee.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
There is hereby established an Animal Control Advisory Committee consisting of two residents ("citizen members"), at least one of whom has expertise in animal biology or control; the Animal Control Officer; the Administrator or his or her designee; and a non-voting liaison from the governing body. The citizen members shall be appointed for three-year terms except that the initial appointments shall be for a two-year term and a three-year term.
[Ord. No. 2012-19]
(a) 
The Rental Housing Board shall consist of seven regular members who shall be residents of the municipality holding no other municipal office or employment. Of the regular members first appointed, one shall have a term of one year, two shall have a term of two years and four shall have a term of three years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be three years. Two regular members shall be tenants, two regular members shall be landlords who own dwelling units in the municipality and three regular members shall be neither a tenant nor landlord. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business provided at least one landlord member and one tenant member are present.
(b) 
All members shall serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members may be removed for cause upon written charges and after hearing. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement, within budgetary limitations, for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
[Ord. No. 2016-06]
(a) 
Established. There is hereby established a Youth Advisory Committee.
(b) 
Membership; Terms of Office; Ex-Officio Members. The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of 12 students and up to five adult liaisons appointed in accordance herewith on or before June 1 of each year. The Mayor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of Council, the student members of the Committee from a list of qualified applicants who have submitted an application. Student members must be residents of the municipality and must be high school students entering grades nine through 12 in the fall of the same year. Every effort will be made to appoint a diverse group of students and to evenly distribute appointments geographically. Members shall serve four-year terms or until graduation, whichever comes first. If any member shall fail to attend two consecutive meetings, or more than half of the meetings in one academic year without just cause, then said member shall be replaced by the Mayor. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, all members shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council. The Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, shall appoint one elected official as a non-voting liaison. The Administrator shall appoint two staff members as non-voting liaisons, including at least one staff member from the Department of Health, Youth, and Community Services. The Chief of Police shall appoint one officer from the Safe Neighborhoods Unit as a non-voting liaison. There may also be one non-voting liaison from the Princeton Public Schools.
(c) 
Organization; Meetings; Quorum; Votes.
(1) 
The Youth Advisory Committee shall meet for the purpose of organization in August of each year. The Youth Advisory Committee shall elect its own officers who shall include a chair, vice-chair, and secretary.
(2) 
The Youth Advisory Committee is a public body and shall meet once to twice a month, August through June. A special meeting may be called by the chair, vice-chair or three members of the Youth Advisory Committee. Minutes shall be kept by the secretary and filed with the Municipal Clerk.
(3) 
A quorum shall consist of more than 50% of the student members currently appointed plus one adult member.
(d) 
Duties. The duties of the Youth Advisory Committee shall be to advise the Mayor and Council in issues of interest to youth. This may include recommending policies and sponsoring educational, informational, and/or social events for youth.
(e) 
Authority. The Youth Advisory Committee has no special authority.
(f) 
Reports. The Youth Advisory Committee shall prepare and present an annual report to the Mayor and Council between June 1 and August 1 of each year. The report shall include accomplishments of the past school year and goals for the next academic year. Additional special reports and recommendations may be made to the Mayor and Council as the need arises in the judgment of the Youth Advisory Committee or at the specific request of the Mayor and Council.
[Ord. No. 2016-14 § 3; Ord. No. 2019-3 § 1; 10-11-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-27]
There is hereby established a Public Transit Advisory Committee. The Committee shall consist of seven regular members, up to two alternate members, and such non-voting liaisons consisting of staff, representatives from Princeton University and the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, and other resource persons, as may be appropriate. The purpose of the Public Transit Advisory Committee is to work cooperatively with Princeton University, the Greater Mercer Transportation Association and other transit development resources to study and make recommendations for improvements in transit services in Princeton.
Regular and alternate members shall be appointed to three-year terms except that the initial appointment shall be staggered so that the terms of no more than three terms of regular members shall expire each year.
Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment as "alternate number 1" and "alternate number 2". Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings involving the Committee but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. Alternates shall be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum of the Committee. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, alternate number 1 shall vote.
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
The members shall serve without compensation.
The responsibilities and authority of the Committee shall be as dictated by the Council from time to time, as may be necessary.
[Ord. No. 2016-38; Ord. No. 2019-4; amended 2-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-8]
(a) 
Established. There is hereby established a Civil Rights Commission.
(b) 
Membership; terms of office; ex-officio members. The Commission shall consist of nine regular members and up to two alternate members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, all of whom shall be residents of Princeton. Every effort will be made to appoint a diverse group of residents to ensure to the greatest extent practicable that all segments of Princeton’s population are represented. In addition, members shall have prior experience in advancing the objectives of the Civil Rights Commission as expressed in this chapter, including but not limited to experience with assisting resolving complaints by persons claiming to be aggrieved by discrimination. On the initial formation of the Commission, three of the regular members shall be appointed for a one-year term, three of the regular members shall be appointed for a two-year term, and three of the regular members shall be appointed for a three-year term. All appointments or reappointments of regular members thereafter shall be for a three-year term. Any alternate members shall be appointed for a term of one year, computed from January 1 of the year of their appointment. They shall be designated at the time of their appointment as “Alternate No. 1” and “Alternate No. 2.” Alternate members may participate in discussions but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. The Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, shall also appoint annually one of its members to serve as liaison to the Commission, but said liaison shall not be considered a member of the Commission and shall not vote on Commission matters.
(c) 
Organization; Meetings; Quorum; Votes.
(1) 
The Commission shall hold an initial organization meeting within 30 days of the date on which the Commission members are first appointed, and shall meet thereafter for the purpose of organization in January of each year. The Commission shall elect its own officers, which shall include a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. At its first meeting each year, it shall also appoint its members to serve on Subcommittees authorized herein.
(2) 
The Commission shall be deemed a public body and shall meet at least once per month. A special meeting may be called by the chair, vice-chair or three members of the Commission. Minutes shall be kept by the secretary and filed with the Municipal Clerk.
(3) 
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the authorized members of the Commission.
(d) 
Objectives; Duties and Responsibilities.
(1) 
The objectives of the Commission shall be to:
a. 
Work cooperatively among people and groups to aid in the elimination discrimination between people based on ascribed characteristics including but not limited to: race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or because of the liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States or the nationality of any individual.
b. 
Develop community education programs that foster open and effective dialogues about race relations.
c. 
Recommend ways and means of initiating and improving municipal programs for coordination of community efforts to address problems involving tensions in the community.
d. 
Make recommendations to Princeton Mayor and Council for the development of policies, procedures and programs that will aid in the prevention and elimination of all types of discrimination in Princeton.
e. 
The Commission shall refer all Princeton officers and employees to the Affirmative Action Officer to initially counsel and investigate all complaints of discrimination involving such officers and/or employees in accordance with Princeton's policies and procedures.
(2) 
To achieve these objectives, the Commission shall:
a. 
Develop mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious, cultural and ethnic groups in Princeton and work to prevent discriminatory practices against such groups.
b. 
Aid in seeing that no person is deprived of equal services in this Municipality by reason of discrimination on account of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or because of the liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States or the nationality of any individual.
c. 
Take an active role in promoting and protecting civil rights by either initiating community dialogues and/or collaborating with other organizations to co-sponsor relevant programs and events.
d. 
Formulate, develop and disseminate programs of community information, education materials and reports which will assist in the elimination of prejudice, intolerance, intergroup tension and discrimination or which promote goodwill and result in better human relations.
e. 
Assist community groups and various fraternal, services and benevolent organizations in the promotion of education campaigns devoted to the elimination of groups prejudices, racial or neighborhood tensions, intolerance and discrimination.
f. 
Offer to the public voluntary, non-binding conflict resolution ("VNCR"). The goal of VNCR shall be to enable the Commission to assist in the expeditious, informal resolution of complaints by any person claiming to be aggrieved by discrimination. VNCR shall be conducted as set forth below:
1. 
Any commissioner who wishes to participate in VNCR sessions may do so following training by the New Jersey State Division of Civil Rights. At least two trained Commissioners shall participate in every VNCR session. The Commission chair may select groups of two or three Commissioners each who shall participate together in VNCR sessions.
2. 
A VNCR session is designed to be a facilitated dialog at which participants are able to reach a mutually agreed-upon remedy or resolution to the matter. The remedy or resolution may include, but shall not be limited to, an acknowledgment and apology and/or a commitment to change procedures to prevent future incidents.
3. 
To the extent permitted by law, VNCR sessions shall be undertaken in a confidential and private manner.
4. 
The Commission may suspend or terminate a VNCR session or process for any given matter if the session/process cannot be concluded as intended under the provisions of this subparagraph (2)f., in which case the commission shall provide the parties with alternative options.
5. 
If the parties are unable to expeditiously resolve a matter that was subject to VNCR, then the parties may agree to have the matter referred to outside mediation. In such a case the Commission will offer the parties with a list of volunteer certified mediators who will be available at no cost to the parties.
6. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph (2)f., at all times the person claiming discrimination retains the right to pursue a formal claim with the State Division of Civil Rights or any court of competent jurisdiction. Any pending VNCR involving that person shall automatically terminate if the person pursues either complaint procedures.
7. 
VNCR sessions shall also be conducted in accordance with any other guidelines, policies and procedures established by the Mayor and Council.
(e) 
Authority. The Commission shall have no special authority.
(f) 
Reports. The Commission shall prepare and present an annual report of the Commission's activities to the Mayor and Council between January 1 and March 1 of each year. The Commission may submit additional reports and recommendations to the Mayor and Council concerning problems relating to discrimination, racial tension, and other human relations concerns as the need arises in the judgment of the Commission or at the specific request of the Mayor and Council. Copies of all such reports and recommendations shall be filed with the Department of Human Services and with the Princeton Clerk.