[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Marlboro 4-4-2000
by Ord. No. 2000-10 (Ch. 116 of the 1981 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as an "Ordinance banning the use of government
buildings and government equipment for political fund-raising."
It is hereby found and determined that:
A.Â
Political contributions have a profound impact on government
decision making.
B.Â
New Jersey law does not presently ban solicitations or
acceptance of contributions by public office holders and employees while on
public property or by use of public facilities.
C.Â
A conflict of interest may arise between the business
of political fund-raising and the business of government in town hall and
other government-owned premises, which may cause a distraction from the people's
business.
D.Â
The most appropriate method to prevent this conflict
and to ensure the integrity of government decisions is the prohibition of
political fund-raising on or by use of public property.
E.Â
The paramount public interest in a clean and accountable
government requires the prohibition of political fund-raising on public property
or by use of public facilities.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any individual seeking election to a public office of the federal
government, state, county, municipality, school district or political organization
at an election.
Includes all loans and transfers of money or other thing of value
to or by any candidate, elected official or political organization and all
pledges or other commitments or assumptions of liability to make any such
transfer. Contributions shall be deemed to have been made upon the date when
such commitment is made or liability assumed.
Any person holding elective municipal office or holding an appointed
position in the municipal government, or in any agency, commission, board
or office thereof, whether the position is full-time or part-time, compensated
or uncompensated; and any employee of municipal government or in any agency,
commission, board or office thereof, whether the position is full-time or
part-time.
This municipality and any officer, department, board, commission,
or agency thereof.
Any two or more persons acting jointly, or any corporation, partnership
or any other incorporated or unincorporated association which is organized
to, or does, aid or promote the nomination, election or defeat of any candidate
or candidates for federal, state, county, municipal or school board office.
Political organization includes, but is not limited to, organizations otherwise
defined as "political committee," "joint candidates committee" and "legislative
leadership committee."
Buildings, land, vehicles, phones, fax machines, computers or other
office equipment or supplies and other real or personal property owned, leased
or controlled by the municipality, except for public roads and open park land.
To seek by oral or written communication a contribution as same is
defined herein.
No municipal official, employee or appointee may solicit, commit to
pay or receive payment of or a commitment to pay any contribution for any
candidate, elected official or political organization while in or on the property
of the municipality or utilizing the property of the municipality.
Prohibited forms of fund-raising shall include but are not limited to:
A.Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions using municipal
telephones, fax machines or computers.
B.Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions using personal
telephones while on the property of the municipality.
C.Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions through the use
of publicly owned computers or privately owned personal computers while on
the property of the municipality.
D.Â
Using municipal letterhead to solicit or accept contributions.
E.Â
Sending correspondence from municipal buildings or by
use of municipal services, equipment or postage.
F.Â
Face-to-face soliciting of an individual or an owner
or representative of a business entity while on the property of the municipality.
G.Â
Use of automobiles owned or leased by the municipality
to accept or solicit contributions.
It shall be the responsibility of any employee, appointee or elected
official who observes any prohibited forms of fund-raising to report such
conduct to the municipal ethics board, if one exists, or, in the alternative,
to the Municipal Prosecutor and the Municipal Clerk who shall report same
to the governing body.
It shall be unlawful for any employee, elected official or appointee
to be dismissed, reprimanded, retaliated against or otherwise intimidated
for complying with the reporting requirements mandated by this chapter.
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties provided in § 4-3.
