[Amended 4-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-04; 5-10-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-06]
The Legal Department of the Township of South Hackensack shall consist of a Township Attorney and such other special counsel as the Township Committee may from time to time deem necessary and proper to handle specialized legal matters. Special counsel may include but shall not be limited to special labor counsel, special tax counsel and special litigation counsel. Said individuals shall be licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey. They need not be residents of the Township of South Hackensack, and no preference shall be given to Township residents for said positions.
All counsel shall be appointed on an as-needed basis by the Township Committee as independent contractors for a term not to extend beyond December 31 of the calendar year in which they are appointed or until such time that their successors shall be appointed.
A. 
Township Attorney. The Township Attorney shall:
(1) 
Serve as legal advisor to the Township Committee in all general matters. He or she shall attend all work sessions, regular meetings or special meetings as may be ordered by the Township Committee.
(2) 
Draft all ordinances and resolutions requested by the Township Committee and provide such legal opinions, written or oral, as the Township Committee may order.
(3) 
Coordinate with all special counsel and file periodic reports on the status of all legal matters affecting the Township.
(4) 
Render such other professional advice and legal assistance as may be required by law or as may be requested from time to time by the Township Committee.
B. 
Special counsel. Special counsel shall perform such tasks and assignments as ordered or assigned to him or her by the Township Committee. Special counsel shall report to and keep the Township Attorney aware of the status of all matters handled by him or her.
A. 
Township Attorney. The Township Attorney, at the election of the Township Committee, shall be compensated for services rendered as follows: The Township Attorney shall receive fees for his or her services in accordance with the normal and customary fees charged by attorneys at law in the State of New Jersey and agreed to by the Township Committee by contract for all services rendered. Said fees shall be paid only upon the approval of a voucher and supporting documentation by the Township Committee. The Township Committee may choose to compensate the Township Attorney on a straight retainer basis, retainer plus agreed hourly rate or hourly rate.
B. 
Special counsel. Special counsel shall be paid such compensation as set forth in accordance with his or her contractual agreement with the Township. Said compensation shall be paid only upon the submission of a voucher and itemized bill for services and approval by the Township Committee in accordance with law.
The adoption of this article shall not affect any acts of the Township Attorney or Assistant Township Attorney which were performed by them prior to the adoption of this article, provided that such acts were properly performed in accordance with applicable law.