Article XIII Boards, Committees and Commissions

§ 2-58 Appointments to boards, committees and commissions.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in any chapter of the Code of the Township of Robbinsville, state or federal statute, or state or federal regulation, the appointment of any member to any board, committee and/or commission in existence at the time of adoption of this chapter, or to any board, committee and/or commission that may be formed by the governing body of the Township, shall be made by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council.

The member so selected shall serve in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated for the particular board, committee and/or commission so established.

§ 2-58.1 Rules governing the conduct and operation of boards, committees and commissions established in this article.

Unless otherwise specified in the Code of the Township of Robbinsville, the rules established in this subsection shall govern the conduct and operation of any board, committee and commission established in Chapter 2, Article XIII.

Any board, committee or commission to which funds are appropriated by the governing body in its annual budget to assist such board, committee or commission in the fulfillment of its purposes and duties, and which is empowered to spend such funds, shall be subject to the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., or its successor. The expenditure of such funds by a board, committee or commission shall be in accordance with the Township's established purchasing policies.

Any board, committee or commission empowered to authorize or direct the expenditure of funds, acquired from any source, shall be subject to the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., or its successor. The expenditure of such funds by a board, committee or commission shall be in accordance with the Township's established purchasing policies.

Any board, committee or commission subject to the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., or its successor, shall notice and conduct its meetings, at a minimum, as follows:

(1)

Notice shall be provided as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-9, or its successor statute;

(2)

A statement regarding that adequate notice has been provided shall be announced publicly and entered in the minutes as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-10, or its successor statute;

(3)

Meetings shall be open to the public at all times and a portion of every meeting shall be set aside for public comment as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-12, or its successor statute;

(4)

A board, committee or commission may exclude the public from a portion of any meeting wherein the board, committee or commission discusses any item specified in N.J.S.A. 10:4-12b, or its successor statute. Such exclusion shall only be permitted upon the adoption of a resolution as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-13, or its successor statute;

(5)

Minutes shall be kept as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-14, or its successor statute; and

(6)

The schedule of the regular meetings of a board, committee or commission to be held during the succeeding year shall be posted as required by N.J.S.A. 10:4-18, or its successor statute.

The secretary of a board, committee or commission shall be an employee of the Township of Robbinsville and paid an annual stipend as compensation for the work and duties performed as secretary. The secretary shall be responsible, at a minimum, for the following:

(1)

The proper noticing of meetings as required by applicable law;

(2)

The preparation and distribution of meeting agendas as set by the chairperson;

(3)

The preparation and distribution of any resolutions or other official documents to be considered by the board, committee or commission;

(4)

The taking, preparation, and distribution of meeting minutes;

(5)

The conducting of correspondence between and amongst the chairperson, Township Administration, and the Council liaison; and

(6)

The setting, preparation and distribution of the agenda and serving as temporary chairperson at the annual reorganization meeting of the board, committee or commission until such time that the new chairperson is elected.

Any rules or bylaws adopted by a board, committee or commission to govern the conduct of its business, and any revisions thereof, shall be submitted to the Business Administrator and Township Attorney for their approval to ensure alignment with the purposes of the respective board, committee or commission, and consistency with the Code, and such rules or bylaws, and any revisions thereof, shall not take effect until approved in writing by the Business Administrator and Township Attorney.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law or subject to other legal requirements, a member of a board, committee or commission that is absent from at least three consecutive meetings, without good cause and prior notice to their board, committee or commission secretary, shall be deemed to have resigned their appointment and shall be subject to removal from said board, committee or commission. The member may appeal their removal by requesting a hearing thereon before the Township Council, at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. A request for such hearing must be made in writing and received by the Township Clerk's office within 10 calendar days of the date the notice of removal is either mailed or e-mailed to the removed member, whichever is earlier.

Each board, committee and commission shall be permitted to have a Council liaison if otherwise permitted by law. Council liaisons shall be non-voting members of the board, committee or commission and be designated annually by resolution of the Township Council.

§ 2-59 Board of Health.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:3-3b, there is hereby created a local Board of Health.

Membership.

(1)

Council. The Board of Health shall be composed of the members of the Township Council and such other members that the Council may appoint, as set forth herein.

(2)

Physician or school nurse. The Council may appoint as a member of the Board of Health one physician or school nurse, who shall serve for a three-year term from the time of appointment and until a successor is appointed. Upon consent of the prospective appointee, the Council may appoint, as the physician or school nurse appointment, the Township Physician or a school nurse to the local board, notwithstanding that the physician or nurse is not a resident of the Township.

(3)

Alternate members. The Council may appoint as members of the Board of Health not more than two alternate members. The two alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The term of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that of the first two alternate members appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment by the Council for the unexpired term only. An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which they have either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if they request one, be removed by the governing body for cause. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings, but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.

Duties. The duties of the local Board of Health shall be as follows:

(1)

To administer and enforce the local health ordinances with the assistance of the Mercer County Board of Health.

(2)

To administer laws and ordinances relating to relief of the needy, including the furnishing of all forms of public assistance to needy persons who are eligible for assistance provided by law through county and state agencies.

(3)

To cooperate with other public agencies and institutions and with voluntary institutions in the certification of medically indigent patients for care and treatment.

(4)

To perform such other functions and duties as the Board of Health may from time to time require or deem necessary.

§ 2-60 Environmental Commission.

There is hereby created an Environmental Commission known as the "Robbinsville Township Environmental Commission" for the protection, development or use of the natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.

Appointment; terms of office; vacancies; compensation.

(1)

The Commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members, appointed by the Mayor, one of whom shall be a member of the Land Use Board and all of whom shall be residents of the Township. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as chairman and presiding officer of the Commission. The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for one, two or three years and are to be designated by the Mayor in making the appointment so that the initial terms of approximately one-third of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The Mayor shall also appoint a student in the Robbinsville School District as Student Liaison to the Commission. The Student Liaison shall not be a voting member of the Commission.

(2)

The Mayor or Council may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member, and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.

(3)

A vacancy in the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of the term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.

(4)

Members shall receive no compensation for their services.

Powers. The Commission shall have, but not be limited to, the following powers:

(1)

Conducting research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township.

(2)

Coordinating the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, where applicable.

(3)

Advertising, preparing, printing and distributing books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.

(4)

Keeping an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas.

(5)

Recommending to the Land Use Board plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal master plan and the development and use of such areas.

The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Council, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, device or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes, subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement (including a conservation easement), covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or reversions) as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land use water areas in the Township.

The Commission shall have power to study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.

The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the Mayor and Township Council.

The Council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Commission, and the Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require, provided the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.

§ 2-61 (Reserved)

§ 2-62 Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.

Creation. There is hereby created a Senior Citizens Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") to develop, coordinate, integrate and amplify the various programs and services available to senior citizens residing in the Township.

Appointment of members. The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee shall consist of seven voting members: three shall be senior citizens, three shall be from the community at large, and one member shall represent a community organization (i.e., Meals on Wheels, Robbinsville Township Arts Council, Newtown Village, etc.). All voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Township Council. The Senior Center Manager shall serve as a non-voting member.

Terms of office; vacancies. Members shall serve for one-year terms, commencing January 1 and expiring on December 31. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

Organization. The Committee shall organize at its first meeting each year and elect, from among the voting members of the Committee, a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary subject to the approval of the Mayor, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary, and establish a meeting schedule which shall be noticed on the Township website and posted in the Municipal Building.

Rules. The Committee may adopt rules or bylaws to govern the conduct of its business. Any such rules or bylaws shall not be effective until approved in writing by the Business Administrator and Township Attorney pursuant to § 2-58.1.

Purposes and duties. The purposes and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:

(1)

To identify the needs of the senior citizens in the community and bring them to the attention of the Mayor and Township Council.

(2)

To recommend to the Mayor and Township Council programs, improvements and activities which will benefit all the Township's senior citizens, as well as alleviate problem areas of concern to those residents who are senior citizens. Programs shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a)

A nutrition program for the elderly;

(b)

Formation of a telephone communication service for seniors living alone;

(c)

Arrange for guest lecturers on a regular basis to counsel the seniors with regard to such areas as health benefits, social security and investments;

(d)

Establishment of a communication system between senior citizens and other members of the community.

(3)

To confer with appropriate municipal, county, state, federal and private agencies concerned with senior citizens, and to assist in the development and evaluation of the scope of services rendered to determine whether needs of the aging are being met.

(4)

To submit to appropriate municipal, county, state, federal and private agencies, with the cooperation, advice and approval of the Mayor and Township Council, proposals for grants for facilities, programs and services.

(5)

To report upon the Committee's activities and recommendations to the Mayor and Township Council annually and at such other times as the Mayor and Township Council shall request.

§ 2-63 Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.

Creation. There is hereby created a Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") to advise the Mayor and Township Council of recreation and cultural arts programs to be implemented as well as their progress and success and to evaluate and make recommendations for any recreational and cultural opportunities at the request of the Mayor and/or Council.

Appointment of members. The Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Committee shall consist of nine voting members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council. The Recreation Manager shall serve as a non-voting member.

Organization. The Committee shall organize annually and at its first meeting each year it shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary subject to the approval of the Mayor, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary, and establish a meeting schedule which shall be noticed on the Township website and posted in the Municipal Building.

Purposes and duties. The purposes and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:

(1)

To identify recreational and cultural arts needs in the community and bring them to the attention of the Mayor and Township Council.

(2)

To recommend to the Mayor and Township Council recreational and cultural arts programs, improvements, and activities that will benefit the Township.

(3)

To confer with appropriate municipal, county, state, federal, and private agencies concerned with recreation and cultural arts, and to assist in the development and evaluation of the scope of services offered to determine whether needs of the Township are being met.

(4)

(5)

To report upon the Committee's activities and recommendations to the Mayor and Township Council annually and at such other times as the Mayor and Township Council shall request.

§ 2-64 Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Creation. There is hereby created an Economic Development Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") to work with the Mayor and Township Council to target and attract various and appropriate businesses to the Township through marketing and networking, while still working with the existing business community to create a harmonious, cohesive and viable economic structure.

Appointment of members. The Economic Development Advisory Committee shall consist of nine voting members and one alternate member who shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council, and one ex officio non-voting member appointed by the Mayor from within the Township administration.

Terms of office; vacancies. Each member shall be appointed to a three-year term, commencing January 1 of the first year and expiring on December 31 of the third year, with four members, which shall include the alternate member, initially subject to reappointment after one year, three members initially subject to reappointment after two years, and three members subject to reappointment after the full three-year term. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

Organization. The Committee shall organize annually and at its first meeting each year it shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary subject to the approval of the Mayor, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary, and establish a meeting schedule which shall be noticed in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.).

Purposes and duties. The purposes and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:

(1)

To identify economic development needs in the community and bring them to the attention of the Mayor and Township Council.

(2)

To recommend to the Mayor and Township Council economic development programs, improvements, and activities that will benefit the Township, and to coordinate and conduct such programs, improvements, and activities when directed by the Mayor.

(3)

To confer with appropriate municipal, county, state, federal, and private agencies concerned with economic development, and to assist in the development and evaluation of the scope of programs offered to determine whether needs of the Township are being met.

(4)

(5)

To report upon the Committee's activities and recommendations to the Mayor and Township Council annually and at such other times as the Mayor and Township Council shall request.

(6)

To submit on an annual basis a proposed budget request to the Mayor, which proposal shall include evidence of the annual review of the Committee's goals, both long- and short-term, with an emphasis on programs and services which will maximize the economic development offerings provided in the Township.

Funds. The governing body shall appropriate in its annual budget such sums as it deems appropriate and economic to assist in the implementation of the purposes set forth herein. The expenditure of the funds shall be approved in accordance with the Township's established purchasing policies.

§ 2-65 Library Advisory Committee.

Creation. There is hereby created a Library Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") to advise the Mayor and Township Council on all issues related to the Township Library.

Appointment of members. The Library Advisory Committee shall consist of 13 voting members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council. One of the 13 voting members shall be the Librarian.

Purposes and duties. The purposes and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:

(1)

To identify library-related needs in the community and bring them to the attention of the Mayor and Township Council.

(2)

To recommend to the Mayor and Township Council library-related programs, improvements, and activities that will benefit the Township.

(3)

To confer with appropriate municipal, county, state, federal, and private agencies concerned with library-related matters, and to assist in the development and evaluation of the scope of services offered to determine whether needs of the Township are being met.

(4)

(5)

To coordinate fundraising efforts related to the Township Library.

(6)

To report upon the Committee's activities and recommendations to the Mayor and Township Council annually and at such other times as the Mayor and Township Council shall request.