Township of Horsham, PA Article IV Departmental Organization

§ 5-18 Administrative organization.

The administrative service of the Township shall be under the Manager and be comprised of the following departments, and such other departments and heads as may be created by amendments to this code:

A. Department of Administration - Director.

B. Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement - Director.

C. Department of Finance - Director.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Original Section 4.01, Subsection 4, regarding the Department of Emergency Services, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

D. Department of Police - Chief.

E. Department of Public Works - Director.

§ 5-19 Designation of department heads.

A. Department heads shall be chosen solely on the basis of executive, administrative and technical qualifications as are pertinent to the function, duties and operations of their respective departments and as are prescribed by law.

B. The Township Manager shall be acting head of any department or departments where no department head has been appointed, or where a vacancy exists.

§ 5-20 Duties of department heads.

Department heads, under the direction of the Manager, shall:

A. 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 Manager which are not in conflict with law, the Charter, or ordinance;

B. Develop and prescribe the internal organization of the department and its subordinate units, subject to the approval of the Manager, and in accordance with applicable provisions of law, the Charter, or ordinance;

C. Assign duties and responsibilities to department and modify those assignments consistent with and in response to the changing exigencies of service, subject to the approval of the Manager;

D. Develop and prescribe, in written form, an administrative manual for the department, subject to the approval of the Manager;

E. Prepare and submit departmental budget requests in accordance with schedules, forms, and policies as prescribed by the Manager;

F. Prepare and submit reports prescribed by the Manager;

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

H. Be aware of and coordinate the activities of the department with appropriate area-wide, regional and intergovernmental programs; keep the 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;

I. Administer and evaluate intergovernmental contracts and agreements as these relate to departmental functions;

J. Develop and maintain appropriate internal administrative and budgetary controls and productivity and performance standards to assure maximum levels of quality and quantity of service within budgetary limitations;

K. Keep abreast of developments in administrative policies, management techniques, technological advances and make recommendations to the Manager concerning Councilmanic action or administrative regulations for the implementation of those policies, techniques and technologies deemed to be in the best interest of the department and the Township;

L. Keep abreast of all laws and Township ordinances and administrative regulations relating to the functions of the department;

M. 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 Manager;

N. Recruit and recommend persons for Township employment, develop personnel planning and employee development policies for the department, including the planning and execution of appropriate training and education programs;

O. Recommend and enforce rules and regulations for the use of Township facilities and services and issue such licenses and permits as may be required by ordinance; and

P. Develop and recommend to the Manager rate structures for those services for which user fees are charged.

§ 5-21 Department of Administration.

A. Function. The Department of Administration shall be responsible for performing staff functions for the Manager and other units of the Township

B. Department head. The Department of Administration shall be headed by a Director who shall be responsible to the Manager for the performance of the function of the department.

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

(1) Administer the personnel system of the Township subject to the provisions of law, the Charter or ordinance, including such matters as:

(a) Develop and maintain the position classification and pay plans;

(b) Participate in and administer labor relations programs including conducting contract negotiation, contract administration and related programs;

(c) Develop and maintain personnel rules and regulations;

(d) Develop and conduct employee training and development programs;

(e) Prepare personnel planning programs;

(f) Develop and maintain records reflecting all aspects of the service of Township employees.

(2) Provide assistance to the Manager in the development of operating budgets, long-term fiscal programs and related budgetary and administrative analyses, including:

(a) Developing a budget calendar, forms and procedures subject to the provisions of law, the Charter, or ordinance;

(b) Participating in budget analyses and hearings relative to budget requests, budget amendments and budget allocations;

(c) Maintaining budget expenditure control during the course of the fiscal year and keeping the Manager informed on the progress and developments of plans, policies and programs as they relate to the budget;

(d) Reviewing, analyzing and recommending improvements in the administrative organization and procedures throughout the Township;

(e) Assisting departments and other units of the Township in the development of administrative manuals and in the solution of administrative and organizational problems; and

(f) Performing such research and studies as the Manager may direct.

§ 5-22 Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement.

A. Department head. The Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement shall be headed by a Director who shall be responsible to the Manager for the performance and function of the department. This department includes all the license and inspection functions performed by the Township. It shall include the area of health, plumbing, housing, building, zoning and fire. The individuals performing the various inspection functions shall have the powers of Township police officers.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 4.07.1, Health, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. Plumbing. There shall be a Plumbing Inspector. The Plumbing Inspector shall:

(1) Register journeymen and master plumbers;

(2) Inspect all plumbing installations and alterations; and

(3) Issue plumbing permits, including sewer connection permits.

C. Building. There shall be an Office of Building Inspection. The Office of Building Inspection shall:[2]

(1) Assure compliance with the building code;

(2) Recommend suggested changes to the building code;

(3) Receive applications for building, use and occupancy, and sign permits, determine their compliance with the building and zoning codes, and issue required permits; and

(4) Inspect work in progress.

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

D. Zoning. There shall be a Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer shall:

(1) Enforce the zoning code and orders of the Zoning Hearing Board;

(2) Receive appeals directed to the Zoning Hearing Board;

(3) Render required assistance to the Zoning Hearing Board;

(4) Recommend suggested changes to the zoning code; and

(5) Have all powers and duties as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[3]

[3] Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

E. Fire Marshal. There shall be a Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal shall:

(1) Enforce the fire code and other fire prevention ordinances and laws;

(2) Promote the development and use of effective fire prevention methods;

(3) Promote community education in fire prevention;

(4) Investigate causes of fires;

(5) Inspect property for fire hazards and receive complaints of such hazards;

(6) Determine the effectiveness and adequacy of fire protection equipment;

(7) Attend all fires in the Township;

(8) Conduct training sessions for personnel of business and industry;

(9) Inspect storage and use of explosives and inflammables, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing equipment, and fire hydrants; and

(10) Review plans submitted by prospective builders and developers for compliance with the fire code.[4]

[4] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 4.07.6, Air pollution control, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

F. Housing inspection. There shall be a Housing Code Enforcement Officer. The Housing Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power, at any time, with 24 hours' written notice, to enter upon any premises within the Township where there is suspected to be a violation of the Horsham Township Housing Code, for the purpose of examining and abating the same, and for any other purpose arising in connection with or in the performance of his duties.

§ 5-23 Department of Finance.

A. Function. The Department of Finance shall be responsible for the administration of activities pertaining to the receipt, 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 another Township unit.

B. Department head. The Department of Finance shall be headed by a Director who shall be responsible to the Manager for the performance of the function of the department.

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

(1) Collect and receive all taxes and other monies due to or receivable by the Township;

(2) Develop all tax rolls which are not prepared by other political subdivisions of the commonwealth;

(3) Administer a system for the collection of Township tax claims and liens in accordance with law;

(4) Maintain a uniform accounting system in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting;

(5) Pre-audit, in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental auditing, fiscal transactions of all Township units;

(6) Disburse all payments for authorized expenditures;

(7) Deposit monies in depositories authorized by ordinance;

(8) Provide for the prudent investment of monies;

(9) Provide custody of fidelity bonds of officers and employees, except his or her own, which shall be in the custody of the Manager, and provide custody of all deeds, mortgages, contracts, judgments, notes, debts, securities, bonds, insurance policies and other forms of negotiable instruments owned by the Township;

(10) Supervise the lease, rental, sale or other use of property not used by other Township units; and

(11) Administer the purchasing system subject to the provisions of law, the Charter or ordinance, including such matters as:

(a) Establishing and maintaining a purchase order system, including maintaining and evaluating standards and specifications for materials, services and equipment;

(b) Authorizing purchasing of materials, services and equipment for the Township;

(c) Storing materials and equipment not deliverable directly to the departments and other units of the Township;

(d) Maintaining an inventory control system for all real and personal property; and

(e) Determining whether materials, services and equipment purchased meet specifications.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 4.08.2.k.6, regarding purchases under $100, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 5-24 Department of Emergency Management. [1]

The Township shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Governor, an Emergency Management Coordinator who shall have all the powers and duties set forth in the Emergency Management Services Code, 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 5-25 Department of Police.

A. Function. The Department of Police shall be responsible for the protection of persons and property within the Township.

B. Department head. The Department of Police shall be headed by a Chief who shall be responsible to the Manager for the performance of the function of the department.

C. Duties. The Chief of Police shall be responsible to the Manager for all functions of the Department of Police, which shall be to:

(1) Preserve the public peace and order, prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders, protect persons and property, and enforce all traffic regulations in the Township;

(2) Formulate and recommend to the Township Council policies and procedures pertaining to the enforcement of rules and regulations for the operation of the department;[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

(3) Maintain and operate all police communication equipment, maintain police records, criminal and noncriminal identification, and property identification;

(4) Investigate crimes, prevent and control juvenile delinquency, remove crime hazards and prepare evidence for the prosecution of criminal cases;

(5) Perform other related public safety duties as may be assigned;

(6) Prepare or have prepared personnel rules and regulations governing, at the minimum, hiring, promotion, discipline, grievances, tenure, suspension, removal, furloughing and reinstatement of police officers. The Chief of Police shall submit such rules and regulations to the Manager for consideration within one year after the effective date of this code. The Chief of Police shall submit changes in the rules and regulations to the Manager from time to time as the Manager and/or the Chief of Police may find appropriate.

§ 5-26 Department of Public Works.

A. Function. The Department of Public Works shall be responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of those physical structures and facilities that are owned and/or maintained by the Township to house governmental functions.

B. Department head. The Department of Public Works shall be headed by a Director who shall be responsible to the Manager for the performance of the function of the department.

C. Duties. The duties of the Director shall include:

(1) Direct engineering services of the Township;

(2) Supervising the construction and maintenance of the streets, bridges, curbs and gutters of the Township, including the provision of street cleaning, snow removal and ice control services;

(3) Supervising construction and maintenance of storm sewer structures, facilities and appurtenances;

(4) Responsibility for installation and maintenance of traffic control devices and direction signs and signals, street name signs, and parking meters;

(5) Maintaining trees and other vegetation along Township rights-of-way and other property of the Township;

(6) Supervising, constructing, maintaining and providing for custodial services for all Township buildings;

(7) Providing for inspection and related procedures to assure proper maintenance and repair of sidewalks in accordance with Township ordinances;

(8) Supervising the repair and maintenance of all Township vehicles except those vehicles whose repair and maintenance is specifically provided for elsewhere in this code;

(9) Supervising the repair and maintenance of all Township park and recreation facilities, consistent with Park and Recreation Board planning;

(10) Planning, developing, designing and administering, in cooperation with other appropriate departments and agencies of other governments, expansion and modification of facilities for which the department is responsible.