There shall be a City Attorney of the City of Bordentown who shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners by a majority vote of its members for a term of one year from the first day of January of the year of his appointment and until his successor has been appointed and qualified. He shall be an attorney-at-law of the State of New Jersey but need not be a resident of the city. In lieu of appointing an individual, the Commission may appoint a firm of attorneys, all members of which shall be attorneys-at-law of the State of New Jersey. The City Attorney shall not receive a fixed salary but shall be paid such retainer and hourly rate as may be agreed upon and authorized by the Board of Commissioners, plus such fees and charges as shall be deemed reasonable. The appointment of the City Attorney shall be by resolution duly adopted pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.
The City Attorney shall have such powers and perform such duties as are provided for the office of City Attorney by general law or ordinances of the city. He shall represent the city in all judicial and administrative proceedings in which the municipality or any of its officers or agencies may be a party or have an interest. He shall give all legal counsel and advice where required by the Board of Commissioners and shall in general serve as the legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners on all matters of city business. In furtherance of such general powers and duties, but without limitation thereto, the City Attorney shall:
A. 
Draft or approve as to form and sufficiency all legal documents, contracts, deeds, ordinances and resolutions made, executed or adopted by or on behalf of the municipality.
B. 
Conduct appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest of the city as he may, in his discretion, determine to be necessary or desirable or as shall be directed by the Board of Commissioners.
C. 
Subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners, have power to enter into any agreement, compromise or settlement of any litigation in which the city is involved.
D. 
Render opinions in writing upon any question of law submitted to him by the Board of Commissioners or any member thereof with respect to his official powers and duties and perform such duties as may be necessary to provide legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners in the administration of municipal affairs.
E. 
Supervise and direct the work of such additional attorneys and technical and professional assistants as the Board of Commissioners may authorize for special or regular employment in or for the municipality.