Council gives approval to administrative code
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - An ordinance revising the township's administrative code - the document which lays out how the municipal government functions - has been given a final vote of approval by Township Council members.

During the public hearing on the ordinance at a council meeting in December, resident Paul Mayerowitz said he reviewed the administrative code and noted that the definition of the function of the information technology commission has to be revised.

Mayerowitz also noted in a return e-mail that a revision will be made at a later time.

"But, more importantly, at the budget workshops there was a request by a number of residents to formulate a municipal finance committee and I have raised that question at a number of council meetings," said Mayerowitz.

The suggestion was to be taken under consideration, he said.

"The current administrative code does not include a municipal finance committee whose function would be to advise the council on the fiscal matters that may come before the council including the municipal budget," said Mayerowitz.

"There are a number of cities and towns in New Jersey that have municipal finance committees. I think it's appropriate that this township have such a municipal finance committee, given the state of our financial affairs," he said.

He said it had come to his attention that Jackson may be shorthanded in the area of finances at the present time.

Mayerowitz suggested that municipal officials should find an independent, unbiased body of individuals in Jackson who would be available to assist the council in reviewing and coming up with recommendations on the township's finances.

Township Attorney George Gilmore said although that provision is not in the administrative code, it would not prevent that from happening.

"Basically the administrative code is to cover those areas of government set forth by statute," Gilmore said. "It states the number of departments [the town] can have and essentially the form of government and interaction between the mayor and council."

He explained that Mayerowitz was talking about an ad-hoc committee that can be set up by the mayor or the council, either of which can have an advisory committee.

Mayerowitz responded, saying, "My opinion to set up a municipal finance committee is just as important as many other commissions that are codified in the administrative code and it's so important that we have one. I believe we should codify it so that it's not at the discretion of the mayor or the council to have a municipal finance committee, but that it is a body inside the administrative code."

Councilman Scott Martin said the code is a framework that is set up for now and can be changed at any time.

"As Mr. Gilmore said, we can appoint a committee that can help us with this and I can tell you that in planning together we always welcome comments by the public," Martin said. "We're always here to hear your suggestions. That's why we have budget workshops."

Resident Shel Hofstein noted that the new administrative code requires a two-thirds vote of the council (four out of five votes), rather than a simple majority (i.e. 3-2), to carry certain issues.

Gilmore said the two-thirds vote on certain issues is a statutory require-ment.

Council President Angelo Stallone thanked Councilwoman Emily Ingram and Martin for their efforts to revise the code. The revision was made necessary when Jackson's form of government changed from a township committee to a mayor and council in July.

"I think they should be commended for their time and the help they gave to Mr. Gilmore," said Stallone.

Ingram noted that $85,000 was budgeted for the code revision project, but the preparation only cost $38,000.

Martin noted that the original administrative code was finalized on Dec. 5, 1972 and this was the first time a review of the code had been made since.

Council members then voted 5-0 to approve the ordinance revising the ad-ministrative code.