[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
(now Township Council) of the Township of Byram 10-2-1974 as Sec. 2-17 of the Revised
General Ordinances of 1974. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 9-16-1985]
A.Â
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:8-115, there shall be a Local
Public Assistance Board of the Township composed of five members appointed
by the Manager upon approval of the Township Council. The term of
one member of the Local Public Assistance Board shall be for one year,
and that member only may be appointed from among the Council members.
The terms of the other members shall be four years each, one term
expiring in each year.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
B.Â
The term of each member of the Local Public Assistance
Board shall begin on the first day of January, and each member shall
continue in office until his successor is appointed and qualifies.
Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only.
C.Â
The Local Public Assistance Board shall have the powers
and perform the duties prescribed by general law and ordinance and
shall appoint a Director of Welfare pursuant to state law.
A.Â
The Local Public Assistance Board shall organize and
select a Chairman and a Secretary and appoint a Director of Welfare,
who shall be the first executive and administrative officer of the
Board. He shall hold office for a term of five years from the date
of his appointment and shall be paid a salary fixed by the Board,
subject to approval of the Township Council.
[Amended 9-16-1985]
B.Â
If a vacancy occurs in the office of Director of Welfare,
a temporary or acting director may be appointed to serve for not more
than 90 days.
Assistants, clerks, investigators and nurses,
in such numbers as may be necessary to properly administer public
assistance, shall be appointed in the same manner as other employees
of the Township. No employee of the Welfare Department of the Township
whose compensation is paid from funds received or appropriated for
public assistance or the administration thereof shall hold office
in any political party.
The Director of Welfare shall:
A.Â
Supervise by periodic investigation every person receiving
public assistance, such investigation to be made by visitation at
least once a month.
B.Â
Reconsider from month to month the amount and nature
of public assistance given and alter, amend or suspend assistance
when the circumstances so require.
C.Â
Devise ways and means for bringing persons unable
to maintain themselves to self-support or to the support of any other
person or agency able and willing so to do.
D.Â
Keep full and complete records of investigations,
supervisions, assistance and rehabilitation and of all certifications
of persons for employment or benefits and cancellations thereof.
E.Â
Bring about appropriate action for commitment to any
state or county institution when the best interest of the needy person
would be so served.
F.Â
Render immediate public assistance to any needy person
found in the Township, subject to determination and adjustment of
responsibility as provided by law.
G.Â
Inquire into the facts, conditions and circumstances
of a person applying for public assistance, including legal residence,
family connections, living conditions, resources and income; the direct
and indirect causes of the person's need; and such other matters as
may be required by law, making a written record thereof.
H.Â
By written order, render such aid and material assistance
as he may, in his discretion, after reasonable inquiry, deem necessary
to the end that a person shall not suffer unnecessarily from cold,
hunger or sickness or be deprived of shelter pending further certification
of the case; and determine after completing his investigation whether
continued assistance is necessary, making such order as in his judgment
is warranted, having due regard to the circumstances disclosed by
the investigation.
I.Â
Revoke any continued order for assistance whenever
it appears that the person receiving it is no longer needy or will
otherwise be provided for.
