[Adopted 10-1-2001 by Ord. No. 34-2001]
The office of Township Administrator is hereby created in and for the Township of Harrison, in the County of Gloucester, and State of New Jersey, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-136 and the provisions of this article.
A. 
The Township Committee shall appoint the Township Administrator in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-137 by majority vote of its members.
B. 
The term of office of Township Administrator shall be one year ending on December 31.
[Amended 9-6-2011 by Ord. No. 41-2011]
C. 
Any vacancy in said office shall be filled by appointment of the Township Committee for the unexpired term by majority vote of its members.
D. 
During the absence or disability of the Township Administrator, the Township Committee may, by resolution, appoint an officer or regular employee of the municipality to perform such duties of the Township Administrator during his/her absence or disability. Such absence or disability shall be limited to three months, after which time such absence or disability may be deemed a vacancy.
E. 
The Township Administrator may be removed from office by majority vote of the members of the Township Committee. The resolution of removal shall become effective one month after its adoption by the Township Committee. The Township Committee may provide that the resolution shall have immediate effect; provided, however, that in such event (immediate termination) the Township Committee shall cause to be paid to the Township Administrator any unpaid balances of his/her salary and his/her salary for the next 90 days following the adoption of the resolution.
A. 
The Township Administrator shall be appointed on the basis of his/her executive and administrative abilities and qualifications with regard to education, training and experience in governmental affairs.
B. 
It is desirable that the Township Administrator be a resident of the Township or establish residence in the Township; however, residency with the Township shall not be a requirement for the position of Township Administrator.
The Township Administrator shall receive as compensation such sum as may be fixed and adopted by the Township Committee in the Annual Salary Ordinance of the Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Salary Ordinance is on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk.
The Township Administrator shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Township of Harrison, and he/she shall be responsible to the Township Committee for proper and efficient administration of the business affairs of the Township. His/her duties and responsibilities shall relate to the general management of all Township business, excepting those duties and responsibilities conferred upon other Township officials by statute, other applicable laws, rules and regulations promulgated by the state and county agencies, case decisions or ordinances of the Township of Harrison.
The Township Administrator shall coordinate the business activities of all municipal departments and shall be authorized to require that all department heads submit to him/her periodic reports on the operation of their departments. All municipal departments, except where expressly prohibited by law, shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Township Administrator.
The Township Administrator shall serve as Personnel Officer of the Township and shall have the following duties and authority:
A. 
After consultation with appropriate department heads, recommend to the Township Committee the hiring, removal or suspension of any Township employee.
B. 
Be responsible for the maintenance and enforcement of sound personnel policies and practices.
C. 
Establish and maintain sick leave, vacation schedules and personnel records for each Township employee.
D. 
Review the Township's departmental structure and make appropriate recommendations, when necessary, for any change in the hierarchy of organization.
A. 
The Township Administrator shall be the Purchasing Agent for the Township and shall have the following duties and authority:
(1) 
Review the purchasing practices and policies of the Township and issue rules and regulations governing the requisition and purchase of all municipal supplies and equipment.
(2) 
Maintain an account of all purchases and from time to time, when directed by the Township Committee, make a full report thereof.
B. 
The Township Committee may appoint or designate a person to assist the Township Administrator in the function as Purchasing Agent. Such assistant shall be charged with the duties and have the authority hereinabove conferred. While acting pursuant to such appointment, the assistant shall have the title of Purchasing Agent. Such person shall report to and act under the supervision of the Township Administrator.
The Township Administrator shall prepare the municipal budget. In preparing the proposed budget, the Township Administrator or an officer designated by him/her shall obtain from the head of each department, agency or board or office estimates of revenues and expenditures and other support data as he/she requests for the ensuing budget year.
Upon the basis of the departmental request, the budget hearings, the Township Administrator's analysis of the needs and resources of the Township, and such policy guides as may be prescribed by the Township Committee, the Township Administrator shall prepare his/her recommended budget in the form required by general law for budgets. This document shall consist of the recommended budget and shall include departmental estimates and the appropriation and expenditures for each account during the previous year.
The Township Administrator shall have the following general powers and duties:
A. 
Attend all meetings of the Township Committee and such other meetings as directed with the right to take part in discussions, but without the right to vote.
B. 
Keep the Township Committee informed as to the conduct of the Township affairs.
C. 
Submit periodic reports, either in writing or orally, on the condition of the Township affairs and finances, and such other reports, either in writing or orally, as the Township Committee shall request.
D. 
Make such recommendations to the Township Committee as reasonably necessary and advisable for the welfare of the Township.
E. 
Keep the Township Committee informed about federal and state aid projects and any other aid program for which the Township may qualify.
F. 
In cooperation with all department heads, conduct appropriate studies of all activities and operations of the Township government and recommend to the Township Committee changes for the purpose of increasing efficiency, economy and effectiveness of operation.
G. 
Study, recommend, implement and enforce procedures and policies for the compiling, editing and prompt dissemination and release of public information upon the recommendation and authorization of the Township Committee.
H. 
Ensure that the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and privileges granted to the Township Committee are complied with by action of the proper municipal official and, upon knowledge of any violation or breach, call same to the attention of the Township Committee.
I. 
Recommend the employment of consultants to perform work and render advice on special projects in the Township, subject to approval by the Township Committee.
J. 
Review all complaints regarding the functions, obligations, services or personnel of the Township not specifically addressed to any other official in the Township. Investigate and dispose of such complaints and keep a written record of such complaints and when and what action was taken in response thereto, and provide to the Township Committee a copy thereof upon request.
K. 
Coordinate the activities related to the letting of contracts and supervise the performance and execution of same, except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed on some other Township officer or official by statute.
L. 
Promptly receive copies from the Township Clerk of all general and official correspondence addressed to the Township of Harrison or the Township Committee.
M. 
In cooperation with the Township Clerk, formulate the agenda for each executive meeting of the Township Committee and supply facts pertinent thereto to the Township Committee.
The Township Administrator shall devote full time to the interest of the Township and shall not hold any other employment except when designated by the Township Committee.
Nothing in this article shall derogate from or authorize the Township Administrator to exercise the statutory powers and duties of the elected and appointed officials of the Township.