There shall be a Human Relations Council Committee that shall oversee the commissions, committees and boards of the Borough of South River related to human relations. The Human Relations Council Committee shall consist of three members of the Borough Council, one of whom shall be designated Chairman, and who shall be appointed at the annual organizational meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council. Initial appointments to the Human Relations Council Committee shall be made at the first regular meeting following the effective date of this chapter. The Human Relations Council Committee shall exercise supervision and control over the Human Relations Commission, Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities and Advisory Council on Aging and such other agencies, officers or employees of the Borough as may be designated from time to time by the Borough Council.
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 10:5-10, a commission to be known as the "Human Relations Commission of the Borough of South River" is hereby established.
The Commission shall consist of seven members, all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of South River, to be appointed by the Mayor. Each member shall serve for a term of three years, commencing January 1 of the year of appointment and until his successor is appointed and qualified, except that of the members first appointed, two shall serve for a term of one year, two shall serve for a term of two years and three shall serve for a term of three years. Vacancies caused other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner but for the unexpired term only. Members shall serve without compensation. The first Chairman of the Commission shall be designated by the Mayor, and thereafter the Chairman shall be elected by the members, annually. The Commission may also elect, annually, a member to serve as Secretary.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A.
To attempt to foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the inhabitants of the community.
B.
To make recommendations to the governing body for the development of policies and procedures in general and for programs of formal and informal education that will aid in eliminating all types of discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, disability, nationality, sex or religion.
Upon creation of the Commission and at the Council's annual reorganization meeting each year thereafter, the Borough Council shall appoint one of its members as Council liaison to the Commission. The Mayor of the Borough of South River shall serve as an ex officio member of the Commission.
There is created a committee known as the "Mayor's Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities."
Said Committee shall consist of 11 members who have demonstrated leadership, interest and involvement in the handicapped and disabled issues.
The terms of said 11 members shall be for periods of three years, with the initial Committee being comprised of four members for periods of one year, four members for periods of two years and three members for periods of three years.
A.
In addition to the 11 members above, the Borough Council shall appoint the member of the governing body who serves as human services liaison as Council liaison to the Committee.
B.
The Mayor shall also serve as an ex officio member and may designate a Mayor's alternate to the Committee, whose term shall run concurrent with that of the Mayor.
C.
The Committee shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.
The Committee shall review various forms of assistance, guidance and programs to the handicapped and disabled residents of the Borough of South River and make available information concerning same to such residents and provide an advisory report of its activities to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of South River for further review and determination.
The Committee shall conduct one meeting at least quarterly at a date and time to be determined and as set forth in the bylaws of said Committee and shall also hold such special meetings as may be required by the Committee and as set forth in the bylaws.
There is hereby created a council known as the "Advisory Council on Aging."
The Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging shall consist of 11 members and one alternate in addition to the Mayor's alternate, all of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor. No person shall be appointed to the Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging unless he/she is a resident of the Borough of South River. One member shall be the Director of the Office on Aging, who shall be exempt from the Borough residency requirement. One member shall be the Borough Council liaison to the Human Resources Department. One member shall be the Mayor's alternate. The remaining eight members shall be appointed by the Mayor.
The terms of the various members of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging shall be as follows:
A.
Director of the Office on Aging: concurrent with active appointment.
B.
Borough Council liaison to Human Resources Department: concurrent with appointment to said position.
C.
Mayor's alternate: concurrent with the term of the appointing Mayor.
D.
The remaining eight members shall be appointed for three-year terms. However, at the inception of this article, three such members shall be appointed for three-year terms, three such members shall be appointed for two-year terms and two such members shall be appointed for a one-year term to allow staggered term limits.
The Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging shall meet regularly, at least quarterly, and shall, at its first meeting of each year, elect from among its members a Chairperson, who shall preside over all meetings during that calendar year.
The Mayor of the Borough of South River shall serve as an ex officio member of the Advisory Council.
The conduct of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging at its meetings and its activities shall be governed by rules and bylaws which shall be established within three months from the creation of such Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging. In the interim, or if said situation is not contemplated by the adopted rules and/or bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order, the latest edition, shall take precedence.
The Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging shall be responsible for providing consultation, aid, advice and assistance to the senior citizen population of the Borough of South River with respect to situations that are unique to said population and shall advise and make recommendations to the governing body with respect to any ideas and/or programs which will be beneficial to said senior population. In addition, the Mayor's Advisory Council on Aging shall submit a written report to the governing body at least once per year summarizing the Council's activities, discussions and/or proposals.
