[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin 2-9-2017 by Ord. No. O-3-2017.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 24, Code Enforcement Officer, adopted 9-26-1989 by Ord. No. O-13-89, as amended, was repealed 4-27-2010 by Ord. No. O-9-2010; see now Ch. 95, Art. II, Planning and Zoning Administrative Officer.
There is hereby established within the Township of Franklin a Communications Commission of the Township of Franklin (hereinafter the "Commission") for the Township of Franklin.
A. 
Said Communications Commission shall be composed of nine members and two alternates, all of whom shall be citizens and residents of the Township of Franklin, excepting the appointees or designees from the school districts as set forth below. Said members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Township Committee at the annual reorganization meeting of said Committee or at any other regular meeting of the Township Committee. The members first appointed shall be designated to serve staggered terms: three members for five years, two members for four years, two members for three years, two members for two years, one alternate for one year and one alternate for two years from the date of their appointment. Thereafter, all commissioners, including alternates, shall be appointed for a five-year term or until their successor is appointed, whichever is later. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired terms.
B. 
Among the nine regular members of the Commission established, one member shall be appointed from among the members of the Delsea Regional Board of Education, who shall serve on the Commission either personally or by designee, and one member shall be selected from among the members of the Franklin Township Board of Education, who shall serve on the Commission either personally or by designee.
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. The members of the Commission shall choose a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Commission shall appoint a paid Secretary who shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities. The compensation for said Secretary shall be derived from the Commission's budget as set forth below.
The Communications Commission established by this chapter shall be strictly an advisory commission charged with assisting the Township in maintaining, managing, establishing and creating all Township portals and platforms for the conveyance of local news and information including, but not limited to, the Township's website and public access television station. The Communications Commission shall not have any authority or involvement regarding the franchise agreement with Comcast or any other cable provider, but may be part of the negotiating committee at the time of the renewal of the franchise agreement with Comcast or any other cable provider at the discretion of Township Committee.
The Township Committee may annually appropriate funds for the use of the Communications Commission, and such funds may be expended on the authority and approval of the Commission upon submission of proper vouchers.
The Commission shall not have any powers other than those set forth herein, and specifically shall have no power to pledge the credit of the municipality or to enter into contracts or to otherwise create debts. The Commission shall make an annual report to the municipality during December of each year, setting forth in detail its operations and recommendations covering the preceding 12 months.
The Commission shall meet monthly at the Township of Franklin Municipal Building. The meeting shall be the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.