[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater 3-21-2005
by Ord. No. 05-05.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Economic Development Officer — See Ch. 13.
A.
The Mayor and Township Council have determined, with
the assistance of the Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Development, that it is
desirable and appropriate to thoroughly analyze the business and commercial
structure of the municipality and region; to promote the sound economic development
of the Township; to mobilize the potential resources of the Township for efficient
business, commercial and corporate users; and to maintain and improve the
Township's relationship with business and commerce within the Township.
B.
Economic development would include the preservation of
economic stability in Bridgewater Township through a positive commercial environment
for the attraction, promotion and retention of diversified economic activities
with protection for the quality-of-life of Bridgewater residents.
There is hereby created the Economic Development Advisory Committee
of the Township of Bridgewater.
The Economic Development Advisory Committee shall consist of nine members,
with a diverse range of business interests, all of whom shall be residents
or have business interests within the Township. Committee members will serve
without compensation.
A.
The members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee
shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Township
Council.
B.
The term of office shall be three years. The terms of
the original appointments shall be from one to three years, to the end that
no more than three terms will expire in any year.
C.
If a vacancy in any term shall occur, otherwise than
by expiration of the term, it shall be filled by appointment as above provided
for the unexpired term.
D.
The Mayor shall choose, from among the members of the
Economic Development Advisory Committee, a Chairman and such other officers
as she may deem necessary. The Mayor, or her designee, and the Economic Development
Officer (see Chapter 13 of this Code) shall be ex officio members thereof.
E.
Members may be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty
or malfeasance in office.
F.
Each member and officer of the Committee shall, before
assuming office, take and subscribe to an oath that he or she will faithfully
and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office.
G.
A majority of the nine members shall constitute a quorum
of the Committee.
The duties of the Economic Development Advisory Committee shall be as
follows:
A.
To study and analyze the various commercial, business
and corporate entities of the nation with a view to ascertaining opportunities
for positive economic development and expansion of the Township.
B.
To recommend to the Administration desirable and suitable
areas within the Township for the location of business, commerce and corporate
development.
C.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee shall
include consideration of the quality-of-life implications of any economic
activity.
D.
In any decision to encourage a particular economic activity,
the Committee shall consider the extent to which that activity will provide
employment opportunities and stable employment.
E.
To participate in each Master Plan review and recommend
such provisions for the Master Plan as necessary or appropriate for economic
development purposes.
F.
The Committee shall meet on a monthly schedule. During
its first six months of operation, it shall develop a mission statement and
goals for the year, both to be subject to the approval of the Mayor. The mission
statement and goals shall be reviewed by the Administration and established
during the first quarter annually.
G.
The Committee shall conduct a biannual survey of business
in Bridgewater for the purpose of defining areas for which improvement in
business conditions can be developed by the Township government.
H.
The Committee shall prepare an annual, or as-needed,
report on the status of business and commercial conditions in Bridgewater
with recommendations on changes in legislation, rules, procedures and other
municipal matters affecting business activity.
The Economic Development Advisory Committee shall receive, from all
officers and official bodies of the Township, such assistance as may be required
by it in performing its duties. The Committee shall have access to Township
public information and records which may assist in the performance of its
duties.
There shall be appropriated by the Township Council, based on the recommendation
of the Mayor, annually, such sum as it may determine to be necessary for the
purpose of fulfilling the duties and objectives of the Economic Development
Office.
Insofar as may be practicable, the employees and assistance required
by the Committee shall be recruited from the public officers and employees
of the municipality. The Municipal Attorney, Municipal Engineer and the various
departments of the municipal government shall be available to the Committee,
at the direction of the Administration, for the purposes of the Committee's
business. Municipal employees serving the Committee shall do so without compensation,
other than their regular compensation as employees of the municipality.
