[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Union 1-27-1987 by Ord. No. 3889 (Ch. 82 of the 2004 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby created and established in the government of the Township of Union a Department of Law, which shall be comprised of a Township Attorney, Assistant Township Attorney and such clerical assistants as the governing body may determine to be necessary.
[Amended 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951; 12-27-1994 by Ord. No. 4367]
B. 
The head of the Department shall be the Township Attorney. The Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall have been duly admitted to the practice of law in the State of New Jersey for at least five years. The Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney may also engage in the private practice of law.
[Amended 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951; 12-27-1994 by Ord. No. 4367]
C. 
The Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall be appointed by the Township Committee for terms of one year, shall serve until their successor or successors have been appointed and qualified and shall receive such compensation as shall be provided by ordinance of the Township of Union.
[Amended 9-13-1994 by Ord. No. 4352; 12-27-1994 by Ord. No. 4367]
D. 
[1]The term of the Township Attorney shall commence January 1 of each year and terminate December 31 of each year.
[Added 9-13-1994 by Ord. No. 4352]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Subsection D, dealing with the term and compensation of the Assistant Township Attorney, of the 1986 Code, was repealed 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951.
The Township Attorney, in addition to such other functions, powers and duties as may be otherwise delegated to him by ordinances and resolutions of the Township Committee, shall:
A. 
Be the chief legal advisor of the municipal government and the attorney of record in all civil proceedings wherein the Township of Union or any department or officer thereof shall be a party by virtue of their official relationship.
B. 
Advise the Township Committee and officials of the Township of Union on any and all legal matters relating to municipal government upon their request.
C. 
Attend all meetings of the Township Committee.
D. 
Prepare and supervise the preparation of and approve all ordinances, contracts, deeds and other legal documents required by the Township Committee.
E. 
Conduct appeals from orders, decisions and judgments affecting any interest of the Township as he may, in his discretion, determine to be necessary or desirable, or as directed by the Township Committee.
F. 
Advise and prosecute disciplinary actions by the Municipal Administrator and department heads against Township employees.
G. 
Subject to the approval of the Township Committee, have power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation in which the Township is involved.
H. 
Maintain a record of all actions, suits, proceedings and matters which relate to the Township's interest and report thereon from time to time as the Township Committee may require.
I. 
Have such other functions, powers and duties as may be provided by ordinance or resolution.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 51-3, Duties of Assistant Township Attorney, of the 1986 Code, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951.
[Amended 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951; 12-23-1991 by Ord. No. 4173; 12-27-1994 by Ord. No. 4367]
A. 
The salary and compensation of the Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall be provided by ordinance of the Township of Union. The sum shall be paid in equal installments as other salaries in the Township are paid.
B. 
The Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall not receive sick, vacation or personal leave.
C. 
The Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall be entitled to the medical benefits package plan. Effective January 1, 1992, the Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney shall pay via payroll deduction 25% of the medical package increase, if any, for the current year, not to exceed $100.
A. 
The Township Attorney shall have the authority, with the approval of the Township Committee, to engage such additional or special counsel to aid in the performance of the functions of the Department and in the preparation, trial or appeal of such cases in which the Township may be a party or be interested as he may deem necessary.
B. 
If the Township Attorney should be disqualified with respect to any matter, the governing body may appoint special counsel to represent the Township for and with respect to such matters.
[Amended 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951]
[Amended 1-26-1988 by Ord. No. 3951]
Upon termination of his service with the Township, the Township Attorney shall forthwith surrender to his successor all Township property, excluding privileged communications and work products, together with a written consent to substitution of his successor in all legal actions and proceedings then pending to which the Township is a party.