[1]
Editor's Note: Section 2-23, Conflict of Interest,
previously codified herein and containing Ord. #331 and #724, was
repealed in its entirety by Ord. #1015.
[Ord. #1015]
Pursuant to the authority of P.L. 1991, c. 29,
the Township of Bernards Ethics Board ("Board") is hereby established.
The Board shall consist of six members appointed by the Township Committee,
all of whom shall be Township residents. At least two of the six appointed
Board members shall be members of the public. No more than three members
of the Board shall be of the same political party. All Board members
shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed by the Township
for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
[Ord. #1015]
Members of the Ethics Board shall serve for
a term of five years; except that, of the members initially appointed,
two of the public members shall be appointed to serve for a term of
five years, one member shall be appointed to serve for a term of four
years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for a term of
three years. Each member shall serve until his successor has been
appointed and qualified. A vacancy occurring in the membership of
the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment
for the unexpired term. The members of the Board shall annually elect
a Chairman from among the membership.
[Ord. #1015]
The Township Ethics Board shall:
a.
Promulgate a Township Code of Ethics for all local
government officers and employees serving the Township;
b.
Initiate, receive, hear and review complaints and
hold hearings with regard to possible violations of the Township Code
of Ethics or financial disclosure requirements by local government
officers or employees serving the Township, all in accordance with
the procedures specified in the rules and regulations promulgated
by the Township Ethics Board, as amended from time to time;
c.
Issue subpoenas for the production of documents and
the attendance of witnesses with respect to its investigation of any
complaint or to the holding of a hearing;
d.
Forward to the County Prosecutor or the Attorney General
or other governmental body, any information concerning violations
of the Township Code of Ethics or financial disclosure requirements
by local government officers or employees serving the Township which
may become the subject of criminal prosecution or which may warrant
the institution of other legal proceedings by the Attorney General;
e.
Render advisory opinions to local government officers
or employees serving the Township as to whether a given set of facts
and circumstances would constitute a violation of any provision of
the Township Code of Ethics or financial disclosure requirements;
f.
Enforce the provisions of the Township Code of Ethics
and financial disclosure requirements with regard to local government
officers or employees serving the Township and to impose penalties
for the violation thereof as are authorized by law; and
g.
Adopt rules and regulations and do other things as
necessary to implement the purposes of this section.
