Advisory boards and committees are hereby established for the proper and efficient conduct of Township affairs, as well as to protect the rights of the residents of the Township to participate in a positive and constructive manner in the operation of Township government.
A. 
Advisory boards and committees shall be established by ordinance or resolution. Additional boards and committees may, from time to time, be established as may be deemed necessary by Council.
B. 
Advisory boards and committees are intended to provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the Township Manager, Council, and the committees of Council. No board designated as advisory shall perform administrative duties or have legislative or executive authority which is binding or enforceable against the Township.
No advisory board or committee shall have the authority to commit or spend Township funds unless provided for in the budget and subsequently approved by the Township Manager. The Township Manager may assign employees of the Township to serve as liaison to and provide staff services to the boards and committees. No advisory board or committee shall have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the Township.
A. 
The Township Manager, with the advice and consent of the Council, shall appoint the members of the advisory boards and committees to one-year terms, unless stated otherwise in this chapter.
B. 
Appointments to fill vacancies shall only be for the unexpired portion of the term.
C. 
Applicants for appointment to advisory boards and committees shall submit a resume of their qualifications, training and experience and shall be residents of the Township.
D. 
A vacancy on any board or committee shall be filled within 60 days unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the First Class Township Code or general law.
A. 
Each advisory board or committee shall elect, at its first regular meeting in each year, from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair to serve for a term of one year.
B. 
The Chair, or in his absence, the Vice Chair, shall preside at all meetings of an advisory board or committee.
A. 
All meetings and hearings of advisory boards and committees shall be open to the public.
B. 
Each advisory board and committee shall set the time, place and frequency of its meetings, unless otherwise prescribed by Council.
C. 
Special meetings may be held as needed upon the call of the Chair or Vice Chair, provided that appropriate notice of each meeting is given to each member and the public.
D. 
A quorum shall consist of at least a majority of all members of the board or committee.
E. 
A file of all materials and decisions relating to all official actions of the board or committee shall be kept as part of the records of each board or committee.
F. 
All official records and files of each board and committee shall be kept in the office of the Township Manager and shall be a public record.
G. 
All meetings of advisory boards and committees shall be conducted in an orderly fashion and in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
In accordance with this chapter, the following advisory boards and committees are hereby established, together with such other advisory boards or committees as Council may, from time to time, deem necessary:
A. 
Recycling Committee.
B. 
Environmental Advisory Committee.
C. 
Crime Prevention Advisory Board.
D. 
Youth Aid Panels.
E. 
Small Business Council.
F. 
Police Pension Board.
G. 
Public Relations Committee.
H. 
Street Naming Committee.
I. 
Park and Recreation Board.
J. 
Citizens Budget Review Advisory Committee.
K. 
Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
L. 
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee.
M. 
Grants-in-Aid Coordination Committee.
N. 
Victim Assistance Advisory Committee.
O. 
Vacant Property Review Committee.
P. 
Economic Development Advisory Committee.
Q. 
Nuisance Property Review Committee.
A. 
The composition of membership, terms of office, powers and duties of the advisory boards and committees shall be as prescribed by ordinance.
B. 
Each advisory board and committee established under this article shall be an open board or committee comprised of volunteers who are residents of the Township.
C. 
Each advisory board and committee shall consist of not less than three members, appointed by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of Council.
D. 
Council may, at its discretion, by resolution, increase the number of an advisory board or committee.
E. 
Each advisory board and committee shall, during the month of January of each year, appoint a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, together with such other officers as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of its business.
F. 
Members of advisory boards and committees shall serve without compensation, except as Council, by ordinance, may otherwise determine.
G. 
Each advisory board and committee shall make full and complete written reports quarterly to the Township Manager and at such other times as may be requested by the Township Manager or Council.
H. 
Each advisory board and committee shall hold meetings not less than once a quarter at the Township building, upon a day approved by the Township Manager, and shall hold regular monthly meetings whenever the business of the board or committee warrants it.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Recycling Committee shall be to offer recommendations to Council and the Township Manager regarding coordination, organization and public information concerning all recycling efforts within the Township.
B. 
Duties. The duties of the Recycling Committee shall be to offer recommendations to Council and Township Manager regarding the coordination and organization of all recycling efforts within the Township. The Committee shall make full and complete written reports quarterly to the Township Manager and at such other times as may be requested by the Township Manager or Council.
A. 
An advisory committee to be known as the “Bristol Township Environmental Advisory Committee” is hereby created and shall continue to function until this section is revoked.
B. 
The Environmental Advisory Committee shall be composed of not fewer than three and no more than seven residents of Bristol Township.
C. 
Committee members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) 
All Committee members shall be appointed by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of Council.
(2) 
Committee members terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.
(3) 
Duly appointed Committee members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointment shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately one-third of the membership shall expire each year.
(4) 
Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the Bristol Township Planning Commission.
D. 
Committee members shall receive no compensation for their services.
E. 
The Environmental Advisory Committee is to be advisory to and shall coordinate its activities with the elected officials, planning commission, and other such local governmental agencies.
F. 
The Committee shall designate the Chair of the Committee.
G. 
The Environmental Advisory Committee shall have the following powers:
(1) 
Identify environmental problems.
(2) 
Recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the Township.
(3) 
Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas in the Township.
(4) 
Promote a community environmental program.
(5) 
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps, and other unique natural areas.
(6) 
Advise the appropriate local governmental agencies in the acquisition of property, both real and personal.
(7) 
To undertake such environmental tasks as requested by Council.
H. 
The Environmental Advisory Committee shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to Council.
I. 
Council may, from time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Advisory Committee.
J. 
Whenever the requirements of this section are in conflict with other requirements of the ordinances of the Township, the most restrictive, or those imposing the higher standards, shall govern.
A. 
Purpose and leadership. The purpose of the Crime Prevention Advisory Board shall be to coordinate the resources of the Township to assist in the Township’s police crime prevention program. The Board shall serve and act under the leadership and guidance of the Chief of Police of Bristol Township.
B. 
Duties. The duties of the Crime Prevention Advisory Board shall be as follows:
(1) 
Identify the general and specific community resources available to assist the crime prevention program.
(2) 
Provide input to the crime prevention unit in developing a priority schedule for the allocation of local resources to crime prevention efforts.
(3) 
Assist in the implementation of specific crime prevention programs.
(4) 
Maintain a review of community changes, attitudes and concerns which impact on crime prevention efforts.
(5) 
Act as a resource center and/or information exchange for crime prevention information relevant to the community.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Youth Aid Panels shall be to prevent future juvenile delinquent behavior and to offer a wide range of well-coordinated youth rehabilitative services at the neighborhood level, pursuant to guidelines of the Juvenile Court of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
B. 
Duties. The Youth Aid Panels shall act under guidelines established by the Bristol Township Police Department. The duties of the Panel shall be as follows:
(1) 
To hear cases presented by the Township Juvenile Officer and, after sufficient inquiry and deliberation, to meet privately and offer recommendations to resolve the issues presented in such cases.
(2) 
To foster cooperation and coordination among public and private youth-serving agencies and parents of juvenile offenders.
(3) 
To provide opportunities for community involvement.
(4) 
To recommend methods for obtaining restitution and for allowing victims the opportunity to be involved in the resolution of each case.
(5) 
To serve as a rehabilitation mechanism rather than a punitive one.
A. 
Purpose and composition. The purpose of the Small Business Council shall be to offer recommendations to Council and the Township Manager regarding the coordination, organization and promotion of small business development within the Township. The Small Business Council shall be an open Council consisting of a minimum of five representatives of small businesses located within the Township.
B. 
Duties. The duties of the Small Business Council shall be to offer recommendations to Council and the Township Manager regarding the coordination and organization of the rehabilitation, development and expansion of small business located within the Township.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Police Pension Board shall be to advise the Township Manager and Council regarding the provisions, financing, fund administration and investment goals of the Police Pension Plan.
B. 
Composition; term of office; compensation. The Police Pension Board shall be comprised of five members, for a term of five years. The initial appointments shall be one member for one year, one member for two years, one member for three years, one member for four years and one member for five years or until his successor is appointed and qualified. Said members shall serve without compensation. The members shall consist of two members from Council, two members from the Bristol Township Police Benevolent Association and one neutral member appointed by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of Council.
C. 
Duties.
(1) 
The Police Pension Board shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the Township Manager and Council regarding:
(a) 
Procedures for the selection of an actuary.
(b) 
Pension funding and costs of the Pension Plan.
(c) 
Investment strategies and objectives.
(d) 
Changes and other actions to be considered in the prudent administration of the Police Pension Plan.
(2) 
The Police Pension Board shall hold regularly scheduled monthly meetings on a designated day.
(3) 
The Police Pension Board may retain the professional services of a firm or individual with experience in pension fund administration and management, as may from time to time be required, with the approval of Council first requested and received.
A. 
Purpose. The Public Relations Committee shall advise the Township Manager and Council regarding the establishment and implementation of effective relationships with the community, newspapers, radio and other media, and awareness of citizens and business community needs, demands and concerns, and shall establish a well-equipped service and information center available to the public with assurance of a prompt reply on action taken to resolve complaints.
B. 
Duties. The Public Relations Committee shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the Township Manager and Council regarding:
(1) 
Developing public confidence through the media.
(2) 
Instituting communication techniques to ensure that true and correct facts are provided to the media and the public.
(3) 
Developing an effective complaint handling system.
(4) 
Developing new mechanisms to involve the public more in the decisions affecting them.
(5) 
Fostering effective community relations with key community groups.
A. 
Purpose. The Street Naming Committee shall advise the Township Manager and Council regarding the establishment and implementation of a uniform street naming and property numbering system.
B. 
Composition; term of office. The Street Naming Committee shall be comprised of eight members. One member shall be from Council, six members from the community at large and one member from the Police Traffic Department. A member’s term of office shall be one year.
C. 
Duties. The Street Naming Committee shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the Township Manager and Council regarding:
(1) 
Procedure for the assignment of street numbers.
(2) 
Intergovernmental considerations.
(3) 
General policies for assigning street names.
(4) 
Review of existing street naming systems and the maintenance of a new system.
(5) 
Involvement of citizens in field procedures.
(6) 
Notification procedures to officially change property numbers or names.
(7) 
Methods for keeping the public well informed of the need for changes in street naming and house numbering systems.
(8) 
New names to avoid duplication or confusion in street names or numbers.
A. 
Purpose. The Park and Recreation Board shall advise Council, the Township Manager and the Recreation Coordinator regarding the operation, maintenance and supervision of playgrounds and recreation areas and the establishment of recreation programs and the preservation of open space.
B. 
Composition; term of office; election of officers; rules and regulations. The Park and Recreation Board shall be comprised of five members. The first appointments shall be one member for one year, one member for two years, one member for three years, one member for four years and one member for five years. Thereafter, the term of a member shall be five years or until his successor is appointed. The Board shall annually elect from its membership a Chair and such other officers as it deems necessary for the orderly conduct of its business. The Board may adopt rules and regulations governing its procedure, not inconsistent with this chapter.
C. 
Duties. The Park and Recreation Board shall, from time to time, make recommendations to Council, the Township Manager, the Department of Public Works and the Recreation Coordinator regarding:
(1) 
Rules governing the operation and conduct of recreational sites operated by the Township.
(2) 
Maintenance and supervision of parks, playfields and recreation area owned or leased by the Township.
(3) 
Budget preparation.
(4) 
Establishment of recreational activities and programs.
(5) 
Extensions of the park system.
(6) 
The activities of the Recreation Coordinator.
(7) 
Such other matters referred to it by Council and the Township Manager.
A. 
Purpose. The Citizens Budget Review Advisory Committee shall review proposed Township budgets and advise Council regarding the fiscal integrity, balance and details of any proposed budget.
B. 
Composition. The Citizens Budget Review Advisory Committee shall be comprised of three members appointed annually by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of Council.
C. 
Duties. The Citizens Budget Review Advisory Committee shall review proposed Township budgets and supporting data and make recommendations, as may be requested, to Council to aid them in the final preparation and adoption of Township budgets.
A. 
Purpose. The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee shall advise Council and Township Manager in matters of interest or concern or affecting the senior citizens of the Township.
B. 
Composition. The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee shall be comprised of three members appointed annually by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of the Council.
C. 
Duties. The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee shall be aware of matters of interest or concern to senior citizens residing in the Township and shall make recommendations to the Township Manager and Council regarding:
(1) 
Activities and programs for senior citizens.
(2) 
The Development and acquisition of additional recreational and other community facilities for senior residents.
(3) 
The operation and management of the senior citizens community center.
(4) 
The keeping informed of Federal, State and county programs of interest or assistance to senior residents.
(5) 
The providing of information or nonfinancial assistance to senior residents as requested and as able to accomplish.
(6) 
Methods of involving senior residents more actively in the community and the Township.
(7) 
Such other matters as may be beneficial to senior residents of the Township.
A. 
Purpose. The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee shall advise Council and Township Manager in matters of interest or concern in the areas of drug abuse, misuse, sales and purchases of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia and of alcohol abuse and illicit sales and purchases of alcohol to and by minors.
B. 
Composition; term of office. The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee shall be comprised of five residents of the Township, and the term of office shall be one year.
C. 
Duties. The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the Township Manager, Council and Chief of Police regarding:
(1) 
Methods and ways of reducing illicit drug traffic, drug abuse and alcohol abuse within the Township.
(2) 
Cooperation and exchanges of information with other county and private and public drug abuse treatment, rehabilitation and counseling centers.
(3) 
The establishment of educational programs within the Township and its schools to discourage the use of illicit drugs and alcohol by minors.
(4) 
The devising of ways to inform and involve the community and community civic groups in problem solving.
(5) 
The establishment of such rehabilitation and treatment programs as will be beneficial to the Township residents and not in conflict with existing similar programs.
A. 
Intent. The Grants-in-Aid Coordination Committee is intended to assist the Township and its officials in obtaining grant funds for the Township from Federal, State private and other grants or foundations.
B. 
Composition. The Grants-in-Aid Coordination Committee shall be comprised of the Township Manager, two members of Council and one resident appointed by the Township Manager with the advice and consent of the Council, all of whom shall serve during their respective term of office unless otherwise replaced.
C. 
Duties. The Grants-in-Aid Coordination Committee shall investigate, compile and keep itself current concerning the availability of grants-in-aid, private and public foundation grants and similar funds which may be available to the Township and its organizations, in a continuing effort to obtain supplementary funds and financial support for the Township whenever and wherever available.
A. 
Establishment and purpose. The Victim Assistance Advisory Committee is hereby established and shall work with Township employees, Township volunteers and area professionals and experts. The Committee shall plan and schedule training and, where possible, provide professional assistance to victims. The Committee shall work through the Township Manager to schedule programs and receive Council approval for all expenditures.
B. 
Composition and term of office. The Victim Assistance Advisory Committee shall be comprised of five members. The term of office shall be one year.
C. 
Duties. The Victim Assistance Advisory Committee shall:
(1) 
Organize and coordinate professional volunteers.
(2) 
Schedule and plan training sessions for the Police Department and fire services.
(3) 
Where possible, arrange an on-call list of professionals that can assist victims directly.
(4) 
Provide volunteer professional assistance to Police Department or fire service members that experience difficulty from victim contact.
A. 
A Vacant Property Review Committee is formed consisting of the following members:
(1) 
One member of Council.
(2) 
The Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County.
(3) 
One member of the Bristol Township Planning Commission.
(4) 
One member designated by the Township Manager.
B. 
The Committee is hereby directed to review blighted conditions within the Township and to take the necessary action with respect to the elimination of conditions of blight and remedying problems that create blighting conditions in areas of the Township.
C. 
The Township Manager is authorized to take such steps as may be required to implement the intent of this section.
A. 
Establishment and purpose. The Economic Development Advisory Committee is intended to assist the Township and its officials in the improvement and expansion of the existing industrial and commercial base, organization of industrial parks and shopping centers to foster the development of the economic base and the financing of new and existing business within the Township.
B. 
Membership. The Economic Development Advisory Committee shall be comprised of:
(1) 
One member of Council.
(2) 
The Director of Economic Development.
(3) 
The Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County.
(4) 
Members of the Township’s business community.
(5) 
Director of Code Enforcement.
C. 
Duties. The duties of the Economic Development Advisory Committee shall be:
(1) 
Land acquisition and management. The Advisory Committee shall develop guidelines and procedures for the acquisition and assemblage of land into usable sites and the development and management of land and buildings for appropriate economic development purposes.
(2) 
Business management. The Advisory Committee shall develop guidelines and procedures for assessing current and providing future management services in conjunction with loan programs.
(3) 
The Advisory Committee may create subcommittees as it deems necessary and appropriate for the efficient administration of its duties.
A. 
A Nuisance Property Review Committee shall be formed and consist of the following individuals:
(1) 
One member of Council.
(2) 
One member of code enforcement as designated by the Township Manager.
(3) 
One member of the public designated by Council.
B. 
The Committee is hereby directed to review nuisance conditions within the Township and make recommendations regarding the necessary actions with respect to the elimination of the nuisance and remedying problems that create nuisance conditions in the Township.
C. 
The Township Manager is authorized to take such steps as may be required to implement the intent of this section.