Township of Old Bridge, NJ Article XIV Department of Health and Welfare

§ 5-110 General organization.

A. There shall be a Department of Health and Welfare. The Department shall be organized into two divisions:

(1) The Division of Health.

(2) The Division of Welfare.

B. The head of the Department of Health and Welfare shall either be the Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, who shall be responsible to the Mayor; or the person who is the head of the Division of Health, who shall serve as head of the Department without additional compensation and shall be responsible to the Mayor.

[Amended 1-19-1988 by Ord. No. 2-88]

§ 5-111 Division of Health; Health Officer.

A. Organization. The Director of the Division of Health shall be the Township Health Officer, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, who shall serve for the term of the Mayor and until his successor is duly appointed and qualifies. The Health Officer shall receive such annual compensation as shall be fixed by ordinance.

B. Powers and duties. The Division of Health shall:

(1) Administer general laws and Township ordinances conferring functions, powers and duties upon a board or department of health or a local health officer.

(2) Enforce laws and ordinances providing for the prevention and control of disease and conduct related inspections.

(3) Administer general laws and ordinances relating to vital statistics.

(4) Administer a public health nursing service and health educational programs.

(5) Operate public health clinics as authorized by ordinances and general law.

§ 5-112 Citizens Advisory Committee.

[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]

There shall be a Citizens Advisory Committee of the Department of Health and Welfare consisting of nine members who shall be appointed by the Council. The terms of office, duties, residency requirements and vacancy provisions shall be as indicated below. The Committee shall elect one of its members as Chairman by majority vote.

A. Terms. Two members shall be appointed for terms of four years, two for terms of three years, two for terms of two years, two for terms of one year, and the ninth member shall be the Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, whose term shall be concurrent with his term of office as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare.

B. Duties. The duties of the Citizens Advisory Committee shall be promulgated by the Department of Health and Welfare, which duties shall include recommendations from time to time to the Department of Health and Welfare concerning matters generally affecting public health and safety within the Township. Meetings shall be scheduled by the Citizens Advisory Committee at such times and places as its Chairman designates, and a majority thereof shall constitute a quorum. Such recommendations shall be made to the Department of Health and Welfare at a regular or special meeting as may be fixed by the Chairman.

C. Residency requirement. The members of the Citizens Advisory Committee shall be residents of the Township prior to their appointment, and they shall serve without compensation.

D. Vacancy. Any vacancy created by death or resignation or inability of a member to perform his duties shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member, subject to the approval of the Mayor.

§ 5-113 Division of Welfare; Local Assistance Board.

A. Organization of Board; appointment and terms of members.

(1) The Division of Welfare shall be the Local Assistance Board, consisting of five members, one of whom shall be a woman, appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council, and shall serve without compensation

[Amended 4-18-1988 by Ord. No. 12-88]

(2) The term of one member shall be for one year, and such member only may be appointed from among the members of the Council. The terms of the other four members shall be for four years, one term expiring in each year.

[Amended 4-18-1988 by Ord. No. 12-88]

(3) The Local Assistance Board shall select a Chairman and a Secretary and shall appoint a Director of Welfare, who shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Board and perform the duties specified in Laws of 1947, Chapter 156, § 12, N.J.S.A. 44:8-118, and other provisions of general law and the Township ordinances.

(4) The Director of Welfare shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of appointment and shall be paid such salary as may be fixed by the Board, subject to the approval of the Council. The Director of Welfare shall make monthly reports to the members of the Local Assistance Board and to the Director of Health and Welfare concerning the activities of the Division of Welfare. An Acting Director may be appointed for a term of 90 days.

B. Powers and duties of Division. The Division of Welfare shall:

(1) Administer programs of assistance to needy persons in cooperation with federal, state, county and municipal agencies.

(2) Grant public assistance on a budget-deficit basis for living expenses, medical services and supplies, hospitalization, convalescent and dental care and boarding care for children.

(3) Provide social services for family adjustment and rehabilitation, preventive and protective.

(4) Participate in general community welfare interests, such as local unemployment, child care and prevention of delinquency.

(5) Maintain complete social case records, comply with state regulations and make such reports and analyses of welfare problems and grants as are necessary or desirable.