Township of Marlboro, NJ Article XVII Department of Community Relations

§ 4-80 Department established; organization.

A. There shall be a Department of Community Relations, the head of which shall be the Director of Community Relations.

B. Department of Community Relations shall consist of the following divisions:

(1) Division of Intergovernmental Relations.

(2) Mayor's Advisory Task Force.

(3) Division of Senior Citizens Affairs.

(4) Division of Youth Guidance.

(5) Division of Consumer Protection.

§ 4-81 Division of Intergovernmental Relations.

There shall be within the Department of Community Relations a Division of Intergovernmental Relations, the head of which shall be the Director of the Department. The Division shall:

A. Establish and maintain proper relations with legislative and administrative offices at the county, state and federal level.

B. Encourage Township officials and employees, as well as Township residents, to participate in legislative and civic affairs.

C. Study legislative and other governmental action on the local, county, state and federal levels and keep Township officials abreast of important measures affecting the Township, the business community and the community at large.

D. When instructed, present the Township's position on issues through communication with legislative and other governing bodies.

E. Study and report on methods to generate better understanding of the role of business and government in a broad range of civic activity.

§ 4-82 Division of Senior Citizens Affairs.

A. There shall be within the Department of Community Relations a Division of Senior Citizens Affairs, the head of which shall be the Chairman of the Senior Advisory Committee. The Division of Senior Citizens Affairs shall consist of the members of the Senior Advisory Committee, which shall be composed of nine members appointed by the Mayor, such appointments to be for staggered terms of three years. The Mayor shall designate one member to serve as Chairman for each calendar year.

B. The Senior Advisory Committee shall coordinate programs and activities for the purpose of the advancement of the health, training, recreation and social well-being of senior citizens and residents of the community and to provide for programs and activities for the senior citizens of the Township.

§ 4-83 Division of Youth Guidance.

A. There shall be within the Department of Community Relations a Division of Youth Guidance, the head of which shall be the Chairman of the Municipal Youth Guidance Council.

B. There shall be a Municipal Youth Guidance Council as provided by statute (N.J.S.A. 9:22-1 et seq.), members of which shall be residents of the Township appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Township Council. Members shall serve for staggered terms of three years or until their successors are appointed. The membership of the Municipal Youth Guidance Council shall include at least one representative of the school system, one representative of the governing body and one representative of the Municipal Police Department.

C. The members of the Youth Guidance Council shall organize annually by selecting a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. The Council shall meet regularly at least once each month and at such other times as its Chairman shall direct. The Municipal Youth Guidance Council shall be charged with the responsibility to:

(1) Assist in coordinating and integrating community plans and services, governmental and voluntary, affecting the welfare of all children and youth in the community.

(2) Assist in coordinating and integrating community plans and services, governmental and voluntary, for protecting children who are especially exposed to conditions conducive to delinquency.

(3) Assist in coordinating and integrating community plans for the control of influence harmful to youth in the community.

§ 4-84 Division of Consumer Protection.

A. There shall be within the Department of Community Relations a Division of Consumer Protection, the head of which shall be the Director of Community Relations. The Division of Consumer Protection shall consist of the Consumer Protection Committee composed of three members, to be appointed by the Mayor for the term of one year. Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Mayor shall designate one member to serve as Chairman for each calendar year.

B. The Director of Community Relations shall be the Secretary to the Consumer Protection Committee and shall serve as the Chief Enforcement Officer of the consumer protection laws, ordinances and statutes within the Township of Marlboro.

C. The Division of Consumer Protection shall be responsible for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and other applicable regulations pertaining to consumer affairs; the Division shall consult with and advise the Township Council on issues of broad public policy of immediate concern to consumers, on programs to meet consumer needs or to protect consumer interests and on needed improvement in the flow of consumer research material to the public. The Committee may arrange through the Director of Community Relations for fact-finding studies to enable the Committee to carry out its responsibilities. In carrying out its functions, the Committee shall, insofar as is practicable, provide interested organizations and individuals an opportunity to present their views and recommendations to the Committee for its consideration.

D. In addition to other powers and duties vested in it by this chapter, the Committee shall:

(1) Receive and forward to appropriate agencies of the Township, county or state for processing and determination complaints from any citizen relating to consumer affairs. It shall be the further responsibility of this Committee to maintain records indicating the final disposition of any matter so referred.

(2) Consider the aspects of various federal and state policies, programs and operations wherein the view of consumers should be made available to federal and state officials and the manner in which such views can be communicated to appropriate departments and agencies.

(3) Recommend the enactment of such legislation as it deems necessary to protect and promote the interest of the public as consumers.

(4) Appear before governmental departments, agencies and commissions to represent and be heard on behalf of consumer interest.

(5) Cooperate with and establish necessary liaison with federal, state and county agencies and with consumer organizations.