[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Paramus 9-11-1975 by Ord. No. 75-21. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Home buyers protection — See Ch. 269.
A.
There is hereby created a Consumer Protection Committee
of the Borough of Paramus. Said Committee shall consist of seven members
appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council,
all of whom shall serve without compensation, and at least one of
whom shall be an officer of the Police Department of the Borough of
Paramus.
B.
The police member of the Committee shall be appointed
for a term expiring December 31, 1975, and thereafter for terms of
one year. Two citizen members shall be appointed for terms expiring
on December 31, 1975. Two citizen members shall be appointed for terms
expiring December 31, 1976. Two citizen members shall be appointed
for terms expiring on December 31, 1977. Upon expiration of the term
of any citizen member, the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the
Council, shall appoint a citizen for a term of three years.
C.
Vacancies occurring in the Committee shall be filled
by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, for the
unexpired term only.
D.
A member of the Committee shall be removable for cause
by the governing body only upon written charges and after public hearing
thereon.
E.
Each member of the Committee shall also serve in the
position of Consumer Affairs Local Assistance Officer pursuant to
the Consumer Affairs Local Assistance Program of the New Jersey Division
of Consumer Affairs.
The Committee of Consumer Protection shall organize
immediately upon appointment and from its members elect a Chairman
and a Secretary and thereafter reorganize on or before January 15
of the next succeeding year.
The governing body may in the annual local municipal
budget provide as a line item sufficient funds as may be necessary
for the operations of the Committee. No member of the Committee shall
be salaried or incur any expense without the prior approval of the
Mayor and Council.
The Committee of Consumer Protection shall have
the following powers and duties:
A.
To receive and investigate complaints and to initiate
its own investigation of deceptive or unfair trade practices against
consumers.
B.
To report, in writing, to appropriate federal, state
or county agencies any information or findings concerning a violation
of consumer protection laws or regulations.
C.
To appear before governmental departments, agencies
and commissions to report and to be heard in connection with consumer
complaints and findings as to deceptive or unfair trade practices
against consumers.
D.
To assist, develop and conduct programs of consumer
education and information through public hearings, meetings and publications
of materials prepared for distribution to the consumer public of the
Borough of Paramus.
E.
To mediate in disputes between consumers and merchants
within the Borough of Paramus which may be initiated by either party.
F.
To encourage merchants, realtors, developers and contractors
to maintain high standards of honesty, fair trade practices and responsibility
in the production, promotion and sale of consumer goods and services.
G.
To provide the Mayor and Council of the Borough of
Paramus and the State Division of Consumer Affairs and the County
Division of Consumer Affairs with annual written reports with respect
to the number of complaints filed, the nature and disposition thereof
and any other relevant activities of the Committee undertaken during
the prior year. The annual written report shall include recommendations,
if any, from the Committee and shall be presented to the Mayor and
Council not later than January 31 of the following year.
H.
To prepare and promulgate rules, regulations and forms
for the conduct of the activities of the Committee.
