[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Independence 8-14-2000
by Ord. No. 00-7 (Ch. 46 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
Unless otherwise provided by law, all officers and employees of the
Township of Independence after the effective date of this chapter shall be
bona fide residents of the County of Warren or a county within the State of
New Jersey adjacent to Warren County (Morris, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties).
For the purpose of this chapter, a "bona fide resident" is a person having
a permanent domicile within said counties and one which has not been adopted
with the intention of again taking up or claiming a previous residence outside
of the counties.
All employees hired after the effective date of this chapter shall remain
bona fide residents of Warren, Sussex, Morris or Hunterdon Counties. Failure
of any such employee to maintain such residency shall be cause for removal
or discharge from service in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-1.5.
A.
Whenever the Township Committee shall determine that
there are certain specific positions or employments requiring special talents
or skills which are necessary for the operations of the Township of Independence
and which are not likely to be found among residents of Warren, Sussex, Morris
or Hunterdon Counties, such positions shall be filled without preference to
residency. Persons hired under the provisions of this section shall not be
required to become residents of said counties.
B.
Any such determination shall be made pursuant to one
of the following criteria:
(1)
The position is deemed by the Township Committee to be
needed to perform services permitted by statute.
(2)
The duties and tasks of said position require individuals
possessing specialized talents or skills, including the completion of training
leading to technical or professional degrees or other certification, and/or
demonstrated effective experience in performing those duties requiring such
specialized talent or skills.
(3)
It can be shown that it was necessary to go outside of
the designated area to recruit a sufficient number of qualified applicants
for said position within the past 24 months.
C.
Employees hired pursuant to this section shall be hired
only by resolution adopted by the Township Committee on an individual basis.
This chapter shall not affect the residency of persons presently employees
by the Township of Independence who are not residents of the designated area
as of the effective date of this chapter.