[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Middlesex 12-27-2016 by Ord. No. 1905; amended in its entirety 9-13-2022 by Ord. No. 2065.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Prior amendments included Ord. Nos. 1982 and 2026.
Ordinance No. 2065 also amended the title of this Ch. 93 from "Recreation Committee" to its current title.
There is hereby established in the Borough of Middlesex a Recreation Committee and a separate Parks Improvement Committee which shall have the duties and powers hereinafter more particularly set forth, and the members of which shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
The Recreation Committee shall be composed of seven members and two alternate members, who shall be citizens and residents of the Borough of Middlesex. The Parks Improvement Committee shall be composed of nine resident members and two resident alternates. There shall be two representative Council members on each Committee. Such members and alternate members shall be appointed by the Council to serve three-year terms; provided, however, that the initial appointments shall be made in the following manner: two members for initial one-year terms; two members for initial two-year terms; three members for initial three-year terms; one alternate for an initial one-year term; and one alternate for an initial two-year term. After the conclusion of the initial terms as herein provided, all terms shall be for three years. The Council shall designate the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1" and Alternate No. 2." At meetings of each Committee, alternate members shall be permitted to participate in discussion of the proceedings, but shall not be permitted to vote except in the absence or disqualification of one or more regular members, in which event alternate members shall be permitted to vote in lieu of such absent or disqualified regular members in the order of numerical designation of such members.
[Amended 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2074]
B. 
In addition to the aforementioned members, the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council shall appoint a member of the Borough Council to serve as a representative to each Committee each year, who shall be permitted to participate in discussions of the proceedings of the requisite Committee, but who shall not be permitted to vote. Such members of the Borough Council shall serve a one-year term. The Mayor may appoint the same Council member as a representative to each committee.
C. 
All appointments shall expire on December 31. Initial appointments, as above provided, shall be made for the balance of the one-, two- or three-year term designated, ending on December 31 of the applicable year.
D. 
Vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only. The members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed, found qualified, and take office.
A. 
The Borough Council shall cooperate with the Recreation Committee to coordinate and provide equipment for recreational activities, as well as to coordinate the day-to-day operation and maintenance of parks, public places, playgrounds, and recreational areas, in the Borough of Middlesex, in order to provide for the maximum benefit for the residents of the Borough of Middlesex.
B. 
The Borough Council may, from time to time, by resolution, place activities, parks, public places, playgrounds and recreational areas under the jurisdiction of the Recreation Committee for the operation or maintenance thereof, or for such purposes as may be specified in any such resolution. The Borough may from time to time, by resolution, place parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas under the jurisdiction of the Parks Improvement Committee for development or for such future use or purposes as may be specified in any such resolution. The Borough shall continue to be responsible for the development, care, custody and policing of any such parks, public places, playgrounds and recreational areas, which, from time to time, may be placed under the jurisdiction of either the Recreation Committee or the Parks Improvement Committee, unless such responsibilities or any others shall be specifically assigned in any such resolution.
C. 
Neither the Recreation Committee nor the Parks Improvement Committee herein established shall be deemed to be a park or recreation commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-1 et seq., but such Committees shall have only those powers and duties as may be set forth herein or as may be more particularly provided by resolution of the Borough Council.
D. 
There shall be no appropriation of public funds to the Recreation Committee or the Parks Improvement Committee, except as may be provided by the Borough Council for designated purposes consistent with the intent of this chapter. The Recreation Committee and the Parks Improvement Committee shall recommend to the Borough Council proposals, from time to time, as may be consistent herewith.
E. 
The Borough shall obtain liability insurance coverage covering the approved activities under the jurisdiction of the Recreation Committee and the Parks Improvement Committee, the participants in those activities, the Borough of Middlesex and individual members of the Recreation Committee and the Parks Improvement Committee.
F. 
Neither the Recreation Committee or Parks Improvement Committee, nor any member or members thereof, shall have any power or right, express or implied, to bind or obligate the Borough of Middlesex or the Borough Committee, directly or indirectly.
The primary purpose of the Recreation Committee shall be to:
A. 
Assist in providing equipment as needed to programs concerned with the recreation of the residents of the Borough of Middlesex.
B. 
Provide recommendations to the Parks Improvement Committee for the orderly development of parks or other public lands in the Borough of Middlesex.
C. 
Cooperate with the Middlesex County Department of Recreation in coordinating and advising on activities to be held on county-owned recreational land should such aid be requested by the Middlesex County Recreation Department.
D. 
Suggest improvements to the Parks Improvement Committee needed for orderly development and to undertake such improvements as it is authorized to carry out pursuant to this chapter or hereafter by resolution of the Borough Council.
E. 
Operate and maintain such parks or other public lands over which it is given jurisdiction in any resolution of the Borough Council and shall do so pursuant to any standards set forth in any such resolution.
F. 
Handle other specific programs which may be assigned or authorized by the Borough Council, by resolution from time to time, in accordance with the general purposes of the Recreation Committee and the provisions of this chapter and subject to the limitations contained herein.
The primary purpose of the Parks Improvement Committee shall be to:
A. 
Research and provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council on future improvements, enhancements, developments, expansions, and uses of the Borough parks and recreation areas. This would include but is not limited to recommending additional recreational areas such as pickleball courts, walking, biking, nature trails, etc., and also in no way limits the Committee to recommend enhancements and improvements to existing Borough parks and recreation areas.
B. 
Research and provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council on ways of expanding and increasing park utilization by Borough residents.
C. 
Work with other Borough Committees on join beautification efforts for all parks and recreation areas.
D. 
Research and apply for grants that would enable the Borough to implement approved changes.
E. 
Conduct donation drives to assist in funding approved changes.
Neither the Recreation Committee nor Parks Improvement Committee shall act in any manner which would cause a forfeiture of any lands of the Borough of Middlesex. The Borough reserves the right to limit the jurisdiction, purposes or programs of the Recreation Committee at any time by resolution of the Borough Council.
A. 
Both the Recreation Committee and the Parks Improvement Committee may organize as either sees fit, choosing a Chairperson, Board Secretary, and such other officers from among its members as it may deem advisable, adopt rules and bylaws for the orderly conduct of meetings, and organize subcommittees for the administration and handling of its programs.
B. 
Members shall attend one-half of all public meetings in each calendar year and shall not be absent from three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings. The Committee shall petition the Borough Council for removal and replacement of any member with attendance below this standard.
The Director of Public Recreation, Parks Improvement, and Senior Services appointed by the Mayor shall serve as a voting member of both the Parks Improvement and Recreation Committees.
A. 
Any recognized recreational or parks group which feels or believes it is aggrieved by any of the actions of the Director of Public Recreation, Parks Improvement, and Senior Services shall have the right to appeal any of the Director of Public Recreation, Parks Improvement, and Senior Services's actions and/or recommendations in the first instance to the Borough Administrator. Said appeal shall be filed not later than 10 days from the date of any action or recommendation taken by the Director of Public Recreation, Parks Improvement, and Senior Services and shall be in writing to the Borough Administrator.
B. 
The Borough Administrator shall thereafter set the matter down for a hearing and consider the testimony of witnesses and other evidence to be presented and at the conclusion of which the Borough Administrator shall render a decision as soon as is practicable.
C. 
Any party may appeal in the final instance the decision of the Borough Administrator to the Borough Council, within five days of the Borough Administrator's decision in writing to the Borough Clerk.