Township of Cranbury, NJ Township Committee

Except as set forth in § 2-1B, all legislative power of the Township shall be exercised by the Township Committee, unless otherwise delegated herein to the Mayor or Administrator, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A: 63-1 through 40A:63-7 and all other applicable laws.

In matters of health, legislative and executive responsibilities shall be exercised by the Board of Health, as set forth in Part III of this Code.

The Township Committee sets forth the personnel policies of the Township in a document entitled the "Employee Manual of the Township of Cranbury." The Manual, and any amendments thereto, are adopted by resolution of the Township Committee and have the same force and effect as if they were set forth at length in this chapter. A copy of the Employee Manual shall be provided to each employee; copies of all amendments thereto shall be provided to each employee immediately after adoption thereof.[1] Implementation, enforcement and interpretation of the Employee Manual shall be the responsibility of the Township Administrator, in consultation with the Personnel Subcommittee and/or the Township Attorney, as circumstances warrant in the best interests of the Township.

[1]

Note: The Manual and any amendments thereto may be provided to employees as written documents, or electronically through the Internet or a Township intranet. The Administrator shall establish a method to verify that the appropriate information is furnished to all employees.

§ 2-2 Organization of Township Committee.

The Township Committee shall consist of five members, whose terms shall be arranged pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:63-2b(2)(b), and shall organize annually on the first day of January at 12:00 noon, or during the first seven days of January in any year, at which time it shall elect a Mayor from among its members. The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Township Committee and perform such other duties as the Township Committee may prescribe.

§ 2-3 Powers of Mayor.

The Mayor shall be the Chairperson of the Township Committee and head of the municipal government. The Mayor shall have no additional authority by virtue of such designation, except as otherwise provided by law. The Mayor shall:

In conjunction with the other members of the Township Committee, either directly or through delegation of executive responsibilities, see that all Township activities are in compliance with state, federal and Township laws and regulations.

Sign and execute documents and agreements on behalf of the Township, when authorized.

Represent the Township in its dealings with the federal, state and county governments and with other municipalities, and evaluate the Township's interests in proposed contracts, franchises and other business transactions.

Have the power to make proclamations concerning holidays and events of interest in the Township.

Exercise the ceremonial power of the Township and every other power usually exercised by Township mayors or conferred upon mayors by law.

Set the agenda for meetings of the Township Committee, based on consultation with the Administrator and/or other department heads or consultants, as deemed necessary by the Mayor, and in accordance with prior determinations and decisions of the Township Committee.

§ 2-4 Meetings of the Township Committee.

Regular meetings. The Township Committee shall meet at such times and places as are determined by the Township Committee, all in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.

Special meetings. A special meeting may be called at any time upon written request of a majority of the members of the Township Committee or by the Mayor. The request and call for a special meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting, and no business shall be transacted at any special meeting other than that specified. The call for a special meeting shall be filed with the Township Clerk and shall be served upon each Committee member as provided by law and such other notice shall be given as provided by law.

§ 2-5 Bylaws.

Matters of procedure not covered by this Code or state law may be governed by bylaws of the Committee as adopted or modified by resolution adopted by the affirmative votes of at least 2/3 of the full membership of the Township Committee.

§ 2-6 Quorum.

A majority of the Township Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority of all the members of the Township Committee shall be required to vote in the affirmative to pass any ordinance. If a quorum is not present 15 minutes after the appointed time for any meeting, the presiding officer or the Clerk shall have the authority to declare the meeting adjourned.

§ 2-7 Deputy Mayor.

The Township Committee may elect a Deputy Mayor from among its members. In the absence or disability of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor shall have all of the powers and duties of the Mayor. If no Deputy Mayor has been elected, then, in the absence or disability, or known impending absence or disability of the Mayor, the Township Committee (including the Mayor, if available for voting purposes) shall select a presiding officer from among its members, on a case-by-case basis, to serve as Acting Mayor in place of the Mayor. When so designated, the Acting Mayor shall have all of the powers and duties conferred on the Mayor pursuant to § 2-3 of this Code.

Article II Subcommittees

§ 2-8 Standing committees; ad hoc committees.

The Township Committee may establish standing committees (which may also be known as subcommittees) of the Township Committee for various Township purposes, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:63-7. The powers and duties of any such committees shall be as set forth in this Code. The Mayor or Township Committee may at any time, with or without a resolution, appoint special purpose ad hoc committees and determine the membership thereof, which may include the Mayor and/or certain Committee members and/or members of the public.

Standing committees and ad hoc committees shall serve in an advisory capacity only and shall have no authority to expend funds or obligate the Township in any way.

No such standing committee or ad hoc committee shall include an effective majority of the Township Committee.

§ 2-9 Personnel Subcommittee.

The Personnel Subcommittee, heretofore established by the Township Committee, is hereby created, continued and confirmed as a standing committee of the Township Committee, pursuant to N.J.S.A.A 40A:63-7. The members of the Subcommittee shall consist of two members of the Township Committee, selected annually by the Township Committee at its organizational meeting. The Subcommittee shall work in consultation with the Township Administrator, who shall attend Subcommittee meetings, as requested, and with the Township Attorney when appropriate. The Personnel Subcommittee shall:

Assist and make recommendations to the Township Committee with respect to all personnel policies and practices, collective bargaining agreements and related matters.

Respond to requests by the Township Administrator concerning recommendations for personnel policies, personnel appointments and disciplinary action, as set forth in §§ 3-3A(3), (4) and (6) of this Code, or to any other requests or suggestions from the Township Administrator concerning personnel matters.

If requested by the Township Committee, work with the Township Administrator and Township Attorney where needed in connection with any proposed revision to this Code involving personnel or organizational matters.

Participate in the dispute resolution procedure as set forth in Section 12A of the Employee Manual of the Township of Cranbury, and the Employee Evaluation procedure as set forth in Section 16A of the Manual.