A.
All of the books, maps, papers, accounts, statements,
vouchers and other documents whatsoever acquired or produced in any
department shall be carefully and conveniently filed, kept and preserved
and shall be and remain the sole property of the Township and shall
not at any time be removed from the offices of such department, except
when required for use in official business, and shall then be returned
to such office without delay. Each department head shall be responsible
for enforcing the requirements of this section in his department.
This section shall be subject to the provisions of the Destruction
of Public Records Law (1953), N.J.S.A. 47:3-15 et seq.
B.
The following regulations shall pertain to the inspection
and reproduction of public records:
[Amended 8-12-2002 by Ord. No. 14-2002]
(1)
The term public record as used in this Section shall
be as defined in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., a copy of which is on file
in the office of the Township Clerk.
(2)
Except as set forth in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., all
public records maintained in municipal offices by the Township shall
be available for inspection during the regular business hours of the
Township. All requests for public records shall be specified as possible
and shall be made through the office of the Municipal Clerk on a form
promulgated by the Township, a copy of which is attached hereto and
made a part hereof as if spread in full herein.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said form is on file in the
Township offices.
(3)
For the convenience of the public, the Sergeant in
charge of the Records Division of the Police Department is hereby
designated as the deputy Custodian of Records and requests for police
reports may be made through the said Deputy Custodian at the Police
Headquarters during normal business hours of the Township.
C.
Every department head or other chief responsible to
the Township shall provide the Township Clerk with a written inventory
of all equipment, parts, items, tangible goods and other tangible
items within 180 days of the effective date of this code. Said inventory
shall provide serial numbers or other identifying code or indicia
and, where none exists, create one in a manner generally used in government
or commerce. Quantities shall also be noted and accounted for on an
annual basis or more often where deemed necessary by the Mayor. Said
inventory list shall be updated regularly and in no event less than
annually.
Upon termination of the term of office of any
officer or the employment of any employee, he shall forthwith deliver
to his successor or, if there is no successor, to the Clerk or other
person who may be designated by the Council to receive the same all
moneys, papers, books, memoranda, accounts and data of any nature
whatever pertaining to his office or to his employment.
The public administrative and executive business
offices of the Township shall be open for the transaction of public
business on a regular schedule, as prescribed by the Mayor with approval
of the Council, except as otherwise provided by law. Notice of the
regular office hours of the Township offices shall be given to the
public, and the schedule shall be included in the annual Township
directory.
