[Adopted by Ord. No. 1973-5; amended by Ord. No. 1979-13 (Sec. 2-23 of the 2003 Revised General Ordinances)]
The Township Council finds that prejudice and the practice of discrimination against any individual or group because of race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status or gender menaces peace and public welfare; that to eliminate such bias, prejudice, and discrimination, an instrumentality should be established through which the citizens of the Township may be kept informed of developments in human relations, the officials and departments of the Township may obtain expert advice and assistance in promoting practices to keep peace and good order, and private individuals and groups may be officially encouraged to promote tolerance and good will toward all people.
Attendance at Commission meetings is important. Commission members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings or who are absent for six consecutive weeks, whichever is longer, in a calendar year may forfeit their appointment, unless the member has been unable to attend due to illness or has been excused on the basis of advance written notification provided to the Chairperson. Recommendation for removal from the Commission shall be forwarded to the Township Council and the Township Manager. It is the responsibility of all Commission members to notify either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of their anticipated absence from a regular Commission meeting. Telephone or facsimile notification shall be deemed acceptable. Commission liaisons (Council, School Board, police) are expected to attend at least on a quarterly basis.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The Commission shall be composed of 15 residents of the Township, reflecting the diversity of the population, serving without compensation. Of the membership, one shall be a member of Township Council and one of the Township Board of Education, each to be appointed by the respective public body. In addition, one member shall be a member of the Township Police Department, to be appointed by the Township Manager. There shall also be 12 members at large, six of whom shall be appointed by the Township Council and six by the Township Manager. The appointees shall be called "Commissioners." The Commissioners shall annually designate the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary of the Commission and shall fill such other offices as they may determine. The Township Manager and the members of the Township Council shall have the full right to attend all meetings of the Commission and to participate in all discussions, debates and business of the Commission.
All representative appointments shall be for a term of one year.
The Human Relations Commission shall:
A. 
Advocate harmonious relations among all individuals and groups; foster, through community effort or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the inhabitants of the community; and make recommendations to the Township Manager and Council for the development of policies and procedures and programs of formal and informal education that will aid and eliminate all types of discrimination.
B. 
Serve as an advisory body to the Township Council to recommend legislative action as may be appropriate to effectuate the policy of this article and meet with the Township Council at least biannually.
C. 
Study problems in the Township relating to relationships among individuals and groups of all kinds and make recommendations for the betterment of such relations within the community.
D. 
Invite and enlist the cooperation of all groups, as well as persons representing various economic, educational, and social interests in all geographical areas of the Township; and act as a coordinating agency among these and other groups in the community in the establishment and maintenance of educational programs in the community designed to bring about better human relations.
E. 
Investigate and study complaints, problems and specific situations arising among groups or individuals which result or may result in tensions, discrimination, or prejudice within the Township; and offer its assistance in an attempt at conciliation or mediation of any problems that may arise in the community which violate the purposes of this article.
F. 
Assist with the affirmative marketing of residential properties within the community.
G. 
Upon request from the Township Council, the Township Manager, the Municipal Court or the parties involved, investigate and arbitrate private sector affirmative action complaints.
H. 
Cooperate with interested citizens and other units of government or any other agencies concerned with the purposes of this article, particularly the Division on Civil Rights in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.
I. 
Serve as the facilitator for intergroup dialogue as an important means of developing mutual understanding between the different groups of our Township.
J. 
Make an annual report to the Township Manager and the Council of its activities.
A. 
Regular meetings. Regular meetings of the Commission shall take place monthly.
B. 
Special meetings. Special meetings may be called at any time, upon the request of the Chairperson. With a written request of any five Commissioners, the Chairperson shall convene a special meeting. The time and place of all special meetings shall be designated in the call to the meeting. Efforts shall be made to contact all Commission persons of a special meeting. Upon calling a special meeting to order, the Chairperson's report shall include the number of members actually contacted and advised of a special meeting.
C. 
Notice. Written notice of all regular Commission meetings shall be included in the minutes and sent to Commission members one week prior to meeting.
D. 
Quorum. A minimum of eight members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.