Township of Cheltenham, PA Article IV Departmental Organization

§ 5-23 General provisions.

A. Administrative organization.

[Amended 4-17-1979 by Ord. No. 1462; 3-15-2005 by Ord. No. 2079-05]

(1) The administrative service of the Township shall be under the Township Manager and be comprised of the following departments and heads thereof and such other departments and department heads as may be created by amendments to this chapter:

[Amended 6-27-2006 by Ord. No. 2109-06]

	Department	Head
	Department of Public Works	Director
	Department of Police	Chief
	Department of Engineering, Zoning and Inspections	Director
	Department of Accounting	Director of Fiscal Affairs
	Department of Parks and Recreation	Director
	Department of Fire Marshal	Fire Marshal

(2) The Township Manager shall promulgate rules dealing with the internal organization of departments.

B. Department heads.

(1) All department heads shall be appointed by the Township Manager, with the advice and consent of the Board, in accordance with § C702B of the Charter; however, no appointment shall be for a term longer than that of the Manager. Department heads shall be chosen solely on the basis of executive, administrative and technical qualifications pertinent to the functions, duties and operations of their respective departments and prescribed by law.

(2) All department heads shall be subject to removal at the discretion of the Manager, as prescribed in § C702B of the Charter.

(3) The Board may suspend or terminate any such appointment at any time, as prescribed in § C702B of the Charter.

C. Duties of department heads. Department heads, under the direction of the Township Manager, shall:

(1) Direct personally and through subordinates the performance of all functions, duties and operations assigned to and required of the department and its subordinate units by law, the Charter or ordinance and such other activities as may be required by the Township Manager which are not in conflict with law, the Charter or ordinance.

(2) Develop and prescribe in written form the internal organization of the department and its subordinate units, subject to the approval of the Township Manager, and in accordance with applicable provisions of law, the Charter or ordinance.

(3) Assign duties and responsibilities to subordinate officers and employees within the department and modify those assignments consistent with and in response to the changing exigencies of service, subject to the approval of the Township Manager.

(4) At the discretion of the Township Manager, develop and prescribe, in written form, an administrative manual for the department, subject to the approval of the Township Manager.

(5) Prepare and submit departmental budget requests in accordance with schedules, forms and policies as prescribed by the Township Manager.

(6) Prepare and submit reports prescribed by the Township Manager.

(7) Cooperate with and furnish to any department or unit of the Township any information, service, labor, material and equipment that may be pertinent to perform a necessary Township function.

(8) Be aware of and coordinate the activities of the department with appropriate area-wide, regional and intergovernmental programs; keep the Township Manager informed of the activities and policies of such programs as they affect the department or the Township; and make analyses and recommendations regarding such activities and policies when appropriate.

(9) Develop and maintain internal administrative and budgetary controls and productivity and performance standards to assure maximum levels of quality and quantity of service within budgetary limitations.

(10) Keep abreast of developments in administrative policies, management techniques, technological advances and make recommendations to the Township Manager concerning action to be taken by the Board of Commissioners or administrative regulations for the utilization of those policies, techniques and technologies deemed to be in the best interests of the department and Township.

(11) Keep abreast of all laws and Township ordinances and administrative regulations relating to the functions of the department.

(12) Serve as a member of any committee or as a staff officer or provide staff services to any authority, board or commission to which the department head may be assigned by the Township Manager.

(13) Develop personnel planning and employee development policies for the department, including the planning and execution of appropriate training and education programs.

(14) Establish and enforce rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the Board, for the use of Township facilities and services, and issue such licenses and permits as may be required by ordinance.

(15) Develop and recommend rate structures for those services for which user fees are charged.

§ 5-24 Department of Public Works.

[Amended 4-17-1979 by Ord. No. 1462; 6-27-2006 by Ord. No. 2109-06]

A. Function. The Department of Public Works shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of those physical structures that are owned and maintained by the Township to house government functions, to construct and maintain the Township highway system, to maintain the parks system, to provide solid waste disposal, to operate and maintain a sanitary waste collection system, a transportation system and similar operations and services. It shall also be responsible for the protection of persons and the preservation of properties throughout the Township through the general administration and enforcement of various ordinances.

B. Department head. The Department of Public Works shall be headed by a Director who is the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department. Under the Property Maintenance Code Division, the Director and those acting as his agents, specifically the Public Works Coordinator, also known as the "Code Official," and the Code Administrator, also known as the "Deputy Code Official," shall have the powers of Township police officers in reference to the authority to issue citations for violations of those laws and ordinances that are within the scope of their employment to enforce. The Director and those acting as his agents shall have the authority to enter upon any premises for any lawful purpose arising in connection with or in the performance of their duties.

C. Duties. The duties of the Director shall be to supervise the activities of the following subdivisions within the department and their functions:

(1) Refuse Division. The Refuse Division shall be responsible for the collection and disposal of solid waste.

(2) Highway Division. The Highway Division shall be responsible for:

(a) The construction and maintenance of streets, bridges, curbs and gutters of the Township, including the provision for street cleaning, leaf removal, snow removal and ice control.

(b) The installation and maintenance of traffic control devices, directional signs and signals, street name signs and parking meters.

(c) The construction and maintenance of stormwater sewers and flood control projects and the maintenance of streams throughout the Township.

(d) The issuance of highway occupancy and curb and sidewalk permits and the enforcement of related ordinances.

(e) The construction and maintenance of sanitary sewer structures, facilities and appurtenances

(3) Fleet Division. The Fleet Division shall be responsible for the operational efficiency, maintenance and servicing of all Township-owned automotive and construction equipment.

(4) Parks Maintenance Division. The Parks Maintenance Division shall be responsible for the maintenance of Township parkland and open space and the landscaped areas of municipal buildings.

(5) Property Maintenance Code Division. The Property Maintenance Code Division shall be responsible for:

(a) Administering and enforcing the Property Maintenance Code, including the determination of premises being unfit for habitation.

(b) Administering and enforcing the Massage Establishment ordinances and license such facilities.

(c) Administering and enforcing nuisance ordinances.

(d) Administering and enforcing streets and sidewalk ordinances.

(e) Administering and enforcing stormwater management ordinances.

(f) Administering such regulations as are deemed necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare within the scope of the Department and with the approval of the Township Manager and Board of Commissioners.

(g) Consult and cooperate with other Township departments in all matters affecting Township residents as they relate to the function of the Division.

§ 5-25 Department of Police.

A. Function. The Department of Police shall preserve the peace of the community and protect the life, property and personal liberty of persons within the Township.

B. Department head. The Department of Police shall be headed by the Chief, who shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department.

C. Duties. The duties of the Chief shall be to:

(1) Prevent crimes against persons and property.

(2) Enforce those laws, ordinances and regulations which are within the province of the police.

(3) Detect, apprehend and prosecute criminals.

(4) Return recovered property.

(5) Prevent and control juvenile delinquency.

(6) Maintain records and files of crimes and criminals and other related police matters.

(7) Operate facilities for the safekeeping of prisoners.

(8) Regulate vehicular and other traffic, prevent accidents and congestion.

(9) Regulate noncriminal conduct to maintain order.

(10) Provide training programs for all Township police.

(11) Operate and maintain the police radio and other Township radio and emergency communication systems as may be assigned to the Department by the Township Manager.

(12) Maintain records and logs relating to radio and emergency communication systems as are required by law.

(13) Provide general service, information, assistance and advice to the public within the scope of the function of the Department.

§ 5-26 Department of Zoning and Inspections.

[Added 9-18-2013 by Ord. No. 2272-13[1]]

A. Function. The Department of Zoning and Inspections shall be responsible for the protection of persons and property throughout the Township through the general administration and enforcement of zoning, building and related structure and land use codes.

B. Department head. The Department of Zoning and Inspections shall be headed by a Director, who shall also be the Zoning Officer of the Township and shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department. The Director and those duly authorized to act as agents shall have the powers of the Township police officers in reference to the authority to issue citations for the violation of those laws and ordinances within the scope of their employment to enforce. The Director and those acting as his or her agents shall have the authority to enter upon any premises for any lawful purpose arising in connection with or in the performance of their duties.

C. Duties of Director. The duties of the Director shall be to:

(1) Enforce and administer zoning, building, electrical, plumbing, heating, demolition and such other related structural and zoning codes as may be enacted by law or ordinance and enforce the subdivision and land development ordinances.

(2) Issue such licenses and permits as may be required by law or ordinance.

(3) Carry out those inspections of premises and facilities in the Township as necessary in fulfillment of the above § 5-26C(1) and (2).

(4) Render assistance and staff for the Zoning Hearing Board and enforce the orders of the Zoning Hearing Board.

(5) Serve as a member of the Board(s) of Historical Architectural Review and the Electrical Examining Board.

(6) Maintain registration of real estate within the Township.

(7) Render assistance to the Township Manager and to the Board of Commissioners.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 5-26, Department of Engineering, Zoning and Inspections, as amended.

§ 5-27 Department of Accounting.

A. Function. The Department of Accounting shall be responsible for the administration of activities pertaining to the receipt, expenditure, accounting, investment, custody and control of Township funds and assets, except to the extent that such activities are expressly charged by law, the Charter or ordinance to any other Township unit.

B. Department head. The Department of Accounting shall be headed by the Director of Fiscal Affairs, who shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department.

C. Duties. The duties of the Director of Fiscal Affairs shall be to:

(1) Collect and receive all license and permit fees and other moneys due or receivable by the Township or authorize other Township units to do so under prescribed procedures.

(2) Maintain a uniform accounting system.

(3) Disburse all payments for authorized expenditures.

(4) Deposit moneys in authorized depositories.

(5) Together with the Township Manager, provide for the prudent investment of moneys.

(6) Provide assistance to the President of the Board and the Township Manager in the development of operating and capital budgets, including forms and procedures, subject to the provision of law, the Charter or ordinance.

(7) Keep the Township Manager informed of the progress and development of plans, policies and programs as they relate to the budget.

(8) Provide custody for all insurance contracts and fidelity bonds of officers and employees, except his own, which shall be in the custody of the Township Manager.

(9) Provide custody of all notes, deeds, securities, bonds and other forms of negotiable instruments owned by the municipality.

(10) Maintain an inventory control system for all real and personal property.

(11) Maintain the personnel management information system covering all Township employees.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 44, Personnel.

§ 5-28 Department of Engineering. [1]

[Added 9-18-2013 by Ord. No. 2272-13]

A. Function. The Department of Engineering shall be responsible for the protection of persons and property throughout the Township through the general administration and enforcement of the Township subdivision and land developmental ordinances, shall be responsible for the design and construction of Township engineering projects and shall provide such advice to the Township Manager and the Board of Commissioners as may be requested.

B. Department head. The Department shall be headed by a Director, who shall be a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Director shall serve as Township Engineer and shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department.

C. Duties of Director. The duties of the Director shall be to:

(1) Issue reports regarding proposed development and subdivision and land development ordinances.

(2) Issue reports regarding existing development and subdivision and land development ordinances.

(3) Be responsible for the planning, development, expansion, modification, design and administration, and cooperation with other appropriate departments and agencies, of Township facilities.

(4) Carry out those inspections of premises and facilities in the Township as necessary in fulfillment of the above § 5-28C(1), (2) and (3).

(5) Render assistance to the Township Manager and the Board of Commissioners.

[1] Editor’s Note: Former § 5-28, Department of Code Administration, added 3-15-2005 by Ord. No. 2079-05, was repealed 6-27-2006 by Ord. No. 2109-06.

§ 5-29 Department of Parks and Recreation.

A. Function. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall be responsible for operating the parks and recreational facilities of the Township and developing, conducting and supervising recreational programs.

B. Department head. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall be headed by a Director, who shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department.

C. Duties. The duties of the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation shall be to:

[Amended 4-17-1979 by Ord. No. 1462]

(1) Organize, equip and conduct recreational programs for all citizens of the Township.

(2) Plan, develop and administer, in cooperation with other appropriate departments, all Township park and recreational facilities.

(3) Coordinate the maintenance of recreational facilities.

(4) Coordinate joint programs and arrange with the School District of Cheltenham Township for the use of its recreational facilities.

§ 5-30 Department of Fire Marshal.

A. Function. The Department of the Fire Marshal shall be responsible for fire prevention and Fire Code enforcement in the Township.

B. Department head. The Department of the Fire Marshal shall be headed by the Fire Marshal, who shall be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the functions of the Department. The Fire Marshal shall have the power of Township police officers in reference to the authority to issue citations for the violation of those laws and ordinances within the duties of the Fire Marshal to enforce.

C. Duties. The duties of the Fire Marshal shall be to:

(1) Initiate and administer a fire prevention program for the Township.

(2) Enforce Chapter 151, Fire Prevention, Article III, Fire Prevention Code, and other fire prevention ordinances and laws.

(3) Promote community education in fire prevention.

(4) Investigate fires occurring within the Township to determine the causes and factors contributing thereto.

(5) Serve as ex officio member of the Fire Board and act as liaison between the Township Manager and the volunteer fire companies.

(6) Enforce laws and ordinances pertaining to the storage and use of explosive, flammable and hazardous materials.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 151, Fire Prevention, Art. IV, Residential Storage of Flammable Liquids.

(7) Oversee the installation of fire alarm systems[2] and the maintenance and adequacy of fire escapes.

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 86, Alarms, Art. I, Connection to Emergency Alarm System.

(8) Approve the applications for all heating, air-conditioning, tank installations and incinerators.