There shall be a Department of Law, the head
of which shall be the Township Attorney, but who need not serve full
time and shall be subject to such fees as shall be approved by the
Council.
The Township Attorney shall be the chief law
officer of the Township and attorney of record in all proceedings
wherein the Township or any of its officers, boards, bodies or commissions,
within the jurisdiction of the Department of Law, by reason of any
suits growing out of their official position, shall be a party. He
shall advise all Township officials and bodies on any matters relating
to the Township government when requested to do so. He shall supervise
the preparation of all contracts, deeds and other documents and all
ordinances and resolutions referred to the Law Department for preparation.
No warrant shall be issued for the payment of
any money from the Township Treasurer in any matter wherein a deed
is necessary or under any contract to which the Township is a party
unless the Township Attorney shall have endorsed in writing upon such
deed or contract his approval as to form and legality, together with
a statement of any liens or encumbrances affecting the transaction.
Upon the expiration of his term of office or
his resignation or removal therefrom, the Township Attorney shall
forthwith surrender to the several Township officers charged with
the custody thereof all deeds, leases, conveyances, obligations, bonds,
contracts, agreements, maps, reports and other papers in his possession
belonging to the Township. He shall deliver to his successor in office
all legal papers and documents relating to the business of the Township,
together with a written consent of substitution of his successor in
all actions then pending and undetermined in which the Township is
a party.
[Amended 7-21-1980 by Ord. No. 80-23]
The Township Attorney shall appoint in the Law
Department not more than two Deputy Township Attorneys and such other
legal assistants as may be authorized by future ordinance.