[Adopted 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-09]
In accordance with the terms of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133, there is hereby created and established the position of Borough Clerk. The Borough Clerk shall possess a Registered Municipal Clerks license issued by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services.
The Borough Clerk shall:
A. 
As secretary of the governing body, attend all meetings conducted by the Mayor and Borough Council.
B. 
Report to and take direction from the Borough Administrator.
C. 
Act as secretary of the municipal corporation and custodian of the municipal seal and of all minutes, books, deeds, bonds, contracts, and archival records of the municipal corporation. The Borough Council may, however, provide by ordinance that any other specific officer shall have custody of any specific other class of record.
D. 
Serve as the chief administrative officer in all elections held in the Borough, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
E. 
Serve as chief registrar of voters in the Borough, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
F. 
Publish all legal notices in the daily paid, published and circulated newspaper circulated in the municipality, and if there be no such newspaper, then in at least one paid, published, and circulated newspaper in the county in which the municipality is located. The "weekly" newspaper shall solely be used for the forty-eight-hour notice requirement and may be used for the publication of special events in the Borough.
G. 
Serve as the administrative officer responsible for the acceptance of applications for licenses and permits and the issuance of licenses and permits, except where statute or ordinance has delegated that responsibility to some other Borough officer.
H. 
Serve as coordinator and records manager responsible for implementing local archives and records retention programs as mandated pursuant to Title 47 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
I. 
Cause the corporate seal of the Borough to be affixed to instruments and writings when authorized by ordinance or resolution of the Borough Council or when necessary to exemplify any document on record in the Borough Clerk's office, or to certify any act of paper which from the records in the Borough Clerk's office shall appear to have been a public act of the Borough or a public document.
J. 
Serve as the custodian of Borough records pursuant to the Open Public Records Act.
K. 
Be the depository for and the custodian of all official surety bonds furnished by or on account of any officer or employee, except the Borough Clerk's own bond which shall be placed in the custody of the treasurer; of all insurance policies on or with respect to risks insured for the benefit of the Borough or to protect it against any claim, demand or liability; and all formal contracts for work, labor, services, supplies, equipment and materials to which the Borough may be a party.
L. 
Be the depository for and the custodian of all performance bonds running to the Borough as obligee, or any other form of security given by a contractor, subdivision developer or other persons on account of work done or to be done in or for the Borough.
M. 
Have custody of all leases of property owned by the Borough.
N. 
Have custody of all titles of ownership of municipal vehicles.
O. 
The Borough Clerk shall maintain a current compilation of all rules and regulations, which shall be available for public inspection in the Borough Clerk's office during business hours. No rule or general regulation made by a department, officer, agency or authority of the Borough, unless it relates to the organization or internal management of the municipal government or a part thereof, shall take effect until it is filed with the Borough Clerk.
P. 
The Borough Clerk shall send all adopted ordinances for codification biannually, after the last Mayor and Borough Council meeting of June and of December of each calendar year.
Q. 
The Clerk shall issue certificates as to liability for assessment for municipal improvements in accordance with N.J.S.A. 54:5-18.1, et seq.
R. 
Coordinate activities between the Borough Council and the various boards and bodies of the Borough and collect and distribute the minutes of the various boards and bodies of the Borough.
S. 
Perform such other duties as are now or hereafter imposed by statute, regulation or by municipal ordinance or regulation.
The Borough Clerk shall be paid a salary at a range to be established from time to time by the governing body of the Borough of River Edge.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133 the Borough Clerk possessing a Registered Municipal Clerks certificate shall hold the office for an initial term of three years.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133.7, upon competition of a full initial term of three years, reappointment by the governing body, and possession of a valid Registered Municipal Clerks certificate, the Borough Clerk shall acquire tenure. The Borough Clerk shall hold the office during good behavior, efficiency, and compliance with requirements for continuing education and shall not be removed therefrom for political reasons but only for good cause shown and after a proper hearing before the Director of the Division of Local Government Services or designee. The definition of good cause for removal of a Borough Clerk may include the failure to meet the continuing education requirements.
The removal of the Borough Clerk shall be only upon a written complaint setting forth with specificity the charge or charges against the Borough Clerk. The complaint shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services and a certified copy of the complaint shall be served upon the person so charged, with notice of a designated hearing date before the Director or the Director's designee, which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the date of service of the complaint. Such date may be extended by the Superior Court for good cause shown upon the application of either party. The person so charged and the complainant shall have the right to be represented by counsel and the power to subpoena witnesses and documentary evidence together with discovery proceedings.