In accordance with the terms of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-136, there is
hereby created and established the position of Borough Administrator.
The Borough Administrator shall:
A. Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices
and agencies of the Borough, except as otherwise provided by law.
B. Attend all meetings as directed by the Mayor and Borough Council
with the right to take part in the discussion and shall keep the Mayor
and Borough Council currently informed on all matters assigned or
otherwise within the role's jurisdiction.
C. Aid in the preparation of the budget, alert department heads to the
submission of their portion thereof and upon request, assist the individual
Borough Council Members and department heads in contributing their
share of the responsibility for the municipal budget.
D. Provide a liaison between the Mayor and Borough Council and the various
municipal boards, agencies and departments of the borough and its
professional advisors.
E. Act as liaison between the Borough and the various county, state
and federal agencies, with respect to all applications for funds and/or
services needed or required by the Borough;
F. Review any complaints concerning the functions and obligations of
the Borough and made by any of its residents;
G. Serve as the Borough's Director of Human Resources, with responsibility
to oversee the employment practices of the Borough's departments and
agencies. The Borough Administrator shall recommend a comprehensive
program of policies and procedures for approval by the Mayor and Borough
Council, and, once that program is adopted, shall review it periodically
and recommend any appropriate changes. In this role, the Borough Administrator
shall develop and oversee a comprehensive training program for Borough
employees; develop a program to recognize Borough employees for exceptional
skills and achievements; oversee the Borough's labor relations activities
and be included in all labor negotiations; advise department heads
on the handling of grievances and serve as hearing officer on all
formal grievances that rise above the departmental level. To the extent
that any labor agreement prescribes some other arrangement for a Borough
hearing, the Borough Administrator shall serve as an advisor to the
prescribed individual or group.
H. Take appropriate disciplinary action against Borough employees and
recommend to the Mayor and/or Borough Council, when necessary, suspension
or removal of department heads and other employees. The Borough Administrator
may, for good cause, suspend a department head or other employee for
up to five working days while recommending more serious disciplinary
action to the Mayor and Borough Council. The Administrator shall advise
the Mayor and Borough Council of any such suspensions no later than
the next meeting of the Borough Council.
I. Negotiate contracts for the Borough, other than personnel or labor
contracts or those required to be bid under N.J.S.A. 40A:11 et seq.,
as authorized and directed by and subject to the approval of the Borough
Council, and ensure that all terms and conditions favorable to the
Borough in any statute or contract are kept faithfully and performed
and, upon knowledge of any violation, immediately make said violation
known to the Borough Council.
J. Establish and oversee a proper purchasing system as the Borough's
Qualified Purchasing Agent; award contracts under the bid threshold,
including window contracts over $17,500 pursuant to P.L. 2023, c.
30; approve all specifications for goods and services to be purchased
by the Borough by public bid or formal solicitation of proposals,
except for the technical portions of specifications prepared by any
licensed professional; authorize and approve the purchase of all materials,
supplies, equipment, and labor and services under contract required
by any department, office or agency of the Borough; receive and open
all requests for bids, proposals, and qualifications; administer the
Borough's P-Card program; and approve all bills and vouchers submitted
for payment prior to their submission to the Mayor and Borough Council
for approval.
[Amended 9-14-2023 by Ord. No. 23-15]
K. Authorize any transfer of supplies, materials and equipment between
departments and offices and, with the authorization of the Borough
Council, sell surplus, obsolete, unused or waste supplies, materials
and equipment.
L. Review and supervise the Borough's insurance program and policies,
and serve as the Borough's Insurance Commissioner.
M. Examine or investigate the operations of Borough departments and
offices and, to the extent permitted by law, direct corrective action
of any shortcomings. The Borough Administrator shall recommend any
changes in policy or other corrections which may increase the efficiency
of the operation of the Borough that require action or by the Mayor
and Borough Council.
The Borough Administrator 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.
The Borough Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the
Mayor and Borough Council. During such term, the Administrator shall
be subject to periodic review and evaluation of performance.
The Borough Administrator may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the
Borough Council. The Resolution of Removal shall become effective
three months after its adoption by the Borough Council. However, the
Borough Council may provide that the Resolution have immediate effect,
in which case, the Borough Administrator shall be paid forthwith any
unpaid balance of the salary and the salary for the next three calendar
months following adoption of the Resolution.