Township of Hanover, NJ: Mayor's Wellness Campaign

§ 36-1 Title; purpose; appointment.

The governing body hereby establishes a new Chapter 36 under Part I, Administrative Legislation, of the Code of the Township of Hanover entitled "Mayor's Wellness Campaign."

Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign is to formulate goals and objectives and plan and implement programs and activities that focus on improving the overall health and wellness of residents of all ages. To achieve this, the governing body shall appoint an advisory steering committee.

The Township Committee shall appoint up to 10 regular members to the Mayor's Wellness Campaign Steering Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Steering Committee") one of whom shall be a member of the governing body and serving as Mayor. These individuals shall represent a cross section of the Township comprised of residents, members of the corporate community, nonprofit service organizations, the local and regional school districts and representation from the Health and Recreation and Park Administration Departments of the Township. Each regular member shall have the authority to vote on any issues requiring a vote.

In addition, to assist the Steering Committee in developing and implementing a variety of programs and activities, the governing body shall also appoint up to seven individuals to serve in an advisory capacity. These individuals shall not exercise the right to vote.

§ 36-2 Terms of office; vacancies.

The term of office of each regular member of the Steering Committee, including those appointed as advisors, shall initially run from the date of appointment until the end of the year. Thereafter, the term of office shall be for one year with all members and advisors appointed or reappointed during the Township Committee's Reorganization Meeting.

If a vacancy occurs, other than by expiration of a member's term, it shall be filled by the Township Committee for the balance of the one-year term.

§ 36-3 Election of officers and organization; duties and responsibilities.

Election of officers and organization. Upon its formation, and following the adoption of this chapter, the regular Steering Committee and advisory members shall be appointed by resolution of the Township Committee. Subsequently, the Steering Committee shall meet to organize. The regular members shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Recording Secretary. The three officers shall serve one-year terms of office.

The Steering Committee shall meet on a quarterly basis. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson to establish the meeting schedule after conferring with the regular members, prepare agendas for each meeting and conduct all meetings in an orderly fashion. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson will perform all the duties described herein.

The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining correspondence and preparing written minutes of all meetings of the Steering Committee.

Subsequent to its initial formation, the Steering Committee shall meet in January of each year to reorganize, establish a quarterly meeting schedule. In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., the Recording Secretary shall publish a notice in two local newspapers, posted on the Township's official bulletin board and website and filed with the Township Clerk. The annual notice shall contain the dates, times and locations of each quarterly meeting.

§ 36-4 Duties and responsibilities.

In recognition of the value and importance of helping residents of the Hanover Township community achieve healthier lifestyles by improving their quality of life both mentally and physically, the Mayor's Wellness Campaign Steering Committee is charged with the responsibility of formulating goals and objectives and planning and implementing programs and activities that focus on improving the overall health and wellness of residents of all ages.

The Steering Committee shall meet quarterly but may meet more often as the need may arise to implement its programs, projects and activities.

As part of its mission to improve the health and well-being of the Township's residents, the Steering Committee may also pursue grants through the Statewide Mayor's Wellness Campaign or seek other sources of funding.

The Steering Committee shall have no authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the Township, or in any way obligate the municipality legally or financially. In this regard, the Steering Committee may make recommendations to the Township's Business Administrator, who under his authority as the Township's Qualified Purchasing Agent, may act on such recommendations in accordance with the Local Public Contracts Law,[1] or in the alternative, submit the recommendations to the governing body when a policy decision must be rendered.

[1]

Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.

Before assuming office, each member of the Steering Committee shall take an oath of office that he/she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his/her office.

§ 36-5 Substance Abuse Prevention Municipal Alliance.

[Added 3-13-2025 by Ord. No. 4-2025]

The governing body hereby authorizes and directs the Mayor's Wellness Campaign to prepare and implement programs and activities that focus attention on substance abuse prevention and alcohol addiction and in this regard shall perform these duties as a sub-committee of the Wellness Campaign, to be known as the "Hanover Township Substance Abuse Prevention Municipal Alliance."

The Mayor shall be responsible for appointing a member of the Mayor's Advisory Committee to serve as the Chairperson of the Substance Abuse Prevention Sub-Committee, with the assistance of the steering and advisory committees' membership, and the Superintendent of the Recreation and Park Administration Department, who serves as the coordinator for the Mayor's Wellness Campaign.

The Substance Abuse Prevention Sub-Committee shall meet at the discretion of the Chairperson, as the need arises, to formulate and implement its programs and activities. The term of office of the Chairperson and members of the Sub-Committee shall be one year, the same as the members of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign.