CITY OF ORANGE TOWNSHIP

  PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the following Ordinance was Introduced and passed on First Reading on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.  The Ordinance will be further considered on Second Reading and Final Passage at the Regular Meeting of the Orange City Council to be held at City Hall, 29 North Day Street, Orange, New Jersey on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. at which time and place all persons who may be interested therein will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning same.  Information regarding remote access to the meeting may be found on the City’s website at www.orangenj.gov. and Council’s website at www.orangetwpnjcc.org.   During the week prior to and up to and including the date of such meeting copies of the full ordinance will be available at no cost and during regular business hours at the Clerk’s office or on the Council’s website for the members of the general public who shall request the same.

40-240-2026

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORANGE TOWNSHIP, ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, RESTRUCTURING AND UPDATING CHAPTER 4, ARTICLES XIII AND XIV OF THE CITY OF ORANGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL CODE.

 

WHEREAS, Chapter 4, Article XIV (“Article XIV”) of the Municipal Code of the City of Orange Township, is the primary reference to the various boards, commissions and committees that operate within the administration of the City’s government; and,

 

WHEREAS, Chapter 4, Article XIII (“Article XIII”) currently reserves §§ 4-51 through 4-53 of the Municipal Code for future use and can reserve additional consecutive provisions; and,

 

WHEREAS, revisions to Article XIV are needed to address outdated provisions, add missing provisions, and correct the current structure and numbering which creates ambiguity and prevents future expansion.

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORANGE TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF ESSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY as follows:

 

Section 1 Amendment to Chapter 4, Article XIII of the Municipal Code.

Part I (Administrative Legislation), Chapter 4 (Administration of Government), Article XIII (Reserved) of the Municipal Code, as amended, is hereby amended to reflect that §§ 4-51 through 4-61 are reserved for future use within this Article.

 

Section 2 Amendment to Chapter 4, Article XIV of the Municipal Code.

Part I (Administrative Legislation), Chapter 4 (Administration of Government), Article XIV (Boards, Commissions and Committees) of the Municipal Code, as amended, is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

  • 4-62.1  Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

 

The Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control, established in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:69A-43(e), shall consist of 3 members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council, none of whom may be employed by the City or serve on the City Council. Each member shall serve for a term of 3 years, without compensation other than reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, and may be removed by the Mayor for cause. A vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control is assigned for administrative purposes to the Office of the Mayor.

 

  • 4-62.2  Board of Health.

 

The legislative functions of the Board of Health established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:3-1 et seq. shall be exercised by the City Council and is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Community Services.

 

  • 4-62.3  Board of Library Trustees.

 

The Board of Library Trustees established by referendum pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:54-1 et seq. is assigned for administrative purposes to the Office of the Mayor.

 

  • 4-62.4  Historic Preservation Commission.

 

The Historic Preservation Commission established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-107 et seq. is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

 

  • 4-62.5  Human Relations Commission.

 

  1. Membership; Terms; Vacancies. The Human Relations Commission shall consist of 11 commissioners, 3 appointed by the Mayor and 1 appointed by each City Council member, all of whom shall be residents of the City of Orange Township. Each commissioner’s term shall run concurrent with the official who sponsored his/her appointment. Vacancies may only be filled for the remaining term of the sponsoring official, and no Commissioner shall serve beyond the expiration of his/her sponsoring official’s term unless reappointed by the same or another official. The Human Relations Commission is assigned for administrative purposes to the Office of the Mayor.

 

  1. Chair; Vice Chair. On July 1 of each year, the Mayor shall name a Chair and a Vice Chair from the 11 Commissioners, who shall each serve until June 30 of the following year. The Mayor shall be permitted to redesignate the same Commissioners as Chair and Vice Chair from year-to-year, and vacancies in either office shall only be filled for an unexpired term (i.e., the remainder of that year).

 

  1. Bylaws. The Commission shall adopt bylaws to govern its operation, including specific goals and plans to achieve them, which shall be approved by resolution of the City Council.

 

  1. Duties and Responsibilities. The Commission shall develop and implement programs which encourage a positive and constructive dialogue within the City of Orange Township on diversity and diversity-related issues. Among other events and activities, the Commission shall plan and coordinate the presentation of an annual municipal-wide celebration in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. The Commission shall encourage the inclusion of all residents of the City in the leadership of civic and community issues and groups, and shall be involved in community-building tasks and strategies to enhance and sustain respect among the City’s diverse citizenry. The Commission shall develop formal and informal educational programs to eradicate all types of discrimination, to promote the celebration and preservation of City residents’ unique cultural customs, and to promote the regular, civil and productive communication between the City’s diverse groups of residents.

 

  1. Subcommittees. The Commission may, by a majority vote of all Commissioners, create such subcommittee or subcommittees of its membership as they deem necessary and appropriate provided, however, that no subcommittee shall act for the Commission. The Commissioners may recruit and enlist City residents to provide volunteer assistance; however, these volunteers shall have no voting rights and shall not speak for the Commission.

 

  1. Annual Report. No later than January 15 of each year, the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council, in writing, detailing the prior year’s activities and accomplishments, along with any recommendations for future activities deemed necessary for the Commission to discharge its duties and responsibilities.

 

  • 4-62.6  Multiple Dwelling Emergency Board.

 

  1. The Multiple Dwelling Emergency Board shall consist of the Health Officer, the Public Officer and 3 members of the Rent Leveling Board, and shall have the following duties:

 

(1) Receiving, administering, expending and accounting for security funds deposited pursuant to the terms of Chapter 173 (Security Funds for Multiple Dwellings) herein.

 

(2) Examining the circumstances and conditions alleged to constitute emergency conditions and declaring, where applicable, an emergency condition to exist.

 

(3) Arranging, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 173 (Security Funds for Multiple Dwellings) herein, for the prompt repair, maintenance, supply or replacement of those items of structure, equipment or supplies which are necessary to correct, eliminate or alleviate the emergency condition.

 

  1. The Multiple Dwelling Emergency Board is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

 

  • 4-62.7  Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Advisory Board.

 

  1. An Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, known as the “Orange Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Advisory Board”, which should not be construed as a Board of Recreation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-1 et seq.

 

(1) The Board shall consist of the following 15 members, who shall serve without compensation:

 

(a) Mayor or his/her designee;

 

(b) City Council President or his/her designee;

 

(c) Business Administrator or his/her designee;

 

(d) Director of Planning and Economic Development or his/her designee;

 

(e) Planning Board Chair or his/her designee;

 

(f) Historic Preservation Commission Chair or his/her designee;

 

(g) Director of Community Services or his/her designee;

 

(h) Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee; and,

 

(i) 7 residents appointed by the City Council (i.e., 1 appointment per City Council member).

 

(2) The initial resident members shall serve as follows: 2 members for 1 year each; 3 members for 2 years each; and 2 members for 3 years each. Thereafter resident members shall be appointed for successive 3-year terms, and no resident shall serve beyond the expiration of his/her term unless reappointed by the City Council.

 

(3) Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

 

  1. The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

 

(1) Make recommendations to the Mayor regarding overall administration of the Municipal Recreation and Open Space Trust Program in accordance with P.L.1989, c.30;

 

(2) Develop and recommend to the Mayor and City Council a system to prioritize the selection of open space areas for acquisitions;

 

(3) Review or prepare the present or proposed Parks, Recreation and Open Space Elements of the Master Plan for the purpose of making recommendations to the Mayor;

(4) Identify and recommend to the City grants and other funding sources to maintain, expand and promote the existing open space;

 

(5) Make recommendations concerning the expenditure of funds and personnel where applicable in regard to the maintenance and preservation of said open spaces;

 

(6) Make recommendations concerning the selection of land for acquisition as part of the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Fund; and,

 

(7) Make recommendations as to preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects, and the acquisition of such properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects for preservation purposes.

 

  1. The Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program shall be directed by the Administration, which shall publish an annual report at the end of each fiscal year to be made available to the general public.

 

  • 4-62.8  Planning Board.

 

The Planning Board established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55-23 et seq. is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

 

  • 4-62.9  Public Housing Authority.

 

The Public Housing Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:14A-49 et seq., known as the “Orange Housing Authority”, is assigned for administrative purposes to the Office of the Mayor.

 

  • 4-62.10  Public Works Committee.

 

  1. The Public Works Committee shall consist of 8 appointed members and the Business Administrator or his/her designee, and shall make recommendations to the Administration and City Council on policies relating to the following matters:

 

(1) Public Works City Maintenance Plans;

 

(2) Capital budget;

 

(3) Transportation (regional, local, and neighborhood);

 

(4) Seasonal policies and procedures;

 

(5) Maintenance of infrastructure and fleet management;

 

(6) Recommendations to the improvement of municipal parks/playgrounds;

 

(7) Issues referred by the Administration or City Council; and,

 

(8) Issues deemed appropriate by the Public Works Committee.

 

  1. The Mayor and City Council members shall each appoint 1 resident to the Committee who may not be an elected official, City employee or City contractor/vendor. Each appointed member shall serve a term of 2 years, beginning August 1 of that year.

 

  1. The Committee shall meet monthly provided there are a sufficient number of agenda items to hold a meeting. Additional meetings may be added as determined by the Committee members. The Public Works Committee shall arrange, through the City Council President, to make monthly reports to the City Council at an agreed-upon scheduled meeting.

 

  • 4-62.11  Rent Leveling Board.

The Rent Leveling Board established under Chapter 166 (Rent Control; Rental Property Registration) is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

 

  • 4-62.12  (Reserved)

 

  • 4-62.13  Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-69 et seq. is assigned for administrative purposes to the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

 

  • 4-63  Prohibition on concurrent employment and board, commission or committee membership. 

 

  1. The following terms, as used in this section, shall have the meanings indicated:

 

EMPLOYEE

Any individual who receives wages from the City.

 

BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE MEMBER

Any person serving on any City board, commission or committee following appointment by the Mayor, City Council, or both.

 

  1. Appointment of employee as board, commission or committee member.

Except as permitted by law or authorized elsewhere in the Municipal Code, no active employee shall be appointed as a board, commission or committee member unless the he/she first elects to discontinue his/her employment.

 

  1. Hiring of board, commission or committee member as employee.

Except as permitted by law or authorized elsewhere in the Municipal Code, no active board, commission or committee member shall be hired as an employee unless he/she first elects to discontinue his/her board, commission or committee membership.

 

Section 3 Severability of Ordinance Provisions.

Each Section of this Ordinance is an independent Section and any part hereof found unconstitutional, void or ineffective for any cause shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other parts hereof.

 

Section 4 Conflicts and Inconsistencies.

All other Ordinances and parts of Ordinances that conflict or are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, but only to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.

 

Section 5 Effective Date.

Following final passage, this Ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of 20 days after publication, unless otherwise provided by the Municipal Council.

 

PURPOSE: To update and restructure Chapter 4, Articles XIII and XIV.

 

FISCAL IMPACT: None.

 

Trisha A. Scipio

Acting Municipal Clerk

 

   A complete copy of this ordinance has been posted on the City (www.orangenj.gov) and      Council website (http://orangetwpnjcc.org).