The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-04-30

inspect conditions and must not be re-
sisted. He must be present at the
polls for each election. His salary
consists Of fees for writs served. a
small sum for election day, and a
salary so small that the three Offices
OF Tax Collector and Poor Officer are
pooled for one man.
The two Justices of the Peace hold
the same position as committing
magistrates; they issue writs and
warrants and have jurisdiction over
all cases of misdemeanor brought to
them, sending more serious offences
to the Court at Doylestown.
The Judges of Election are three:
one of whom must be of the minority
party. Each receives So for the first
day of election and $3.50 per day for
the second day
Of the two Inspectors of Elections.
one must be the minority party. They
are present at elections, and receive
IS day for which they must see that
the elections, are conducted in an or
derby way and without coercion or
cheating on either side.
The Auditors audit all the accounts
of the Borough once a year. They
receive for this salary of So. They
must receive from the Tax Collector
an account of all taxes paid in; from
the Treasurer a statement of Bank
Balance, bills and vouchers for all
moneys paid out, and an account of
any sums borrowed.
There is one Committee Man for
each party, elected by his party and
paid by it. He is head of his own
local work, chooses his own lieuten-
ants and committees and reports to
the Committee of the County.
After the elections where these var
ious candidates have received office,
Council holds its first meeting. All
the meetings are open to anyone who
cares to be present and anyone who
has information, a grievance or sug-
gestion may offer it in person.
The Council meetings are held in
the Town Hall on the first Wednesday
of each month at eight o'clock P. M.
in summer and at half past seven
o'clock P. NJ in winter.
The powers of Council are varied
and generally executed through it's
committees, but each of the six mem
bers has vote in any and every
question before that question is sett-
led. Moreover, each member may
act as special Constable and arrest
any delinquent person caught in a
misdemeanor or in an offence against |
Tax rate after the Assessor gives. his |
valuation of taxable property and no |
expenditure of money can be made |
until authorized by Council. This is |
true of all taxes. and expenditures
except those under the control of the |
School Board.
At its first meeting after election,
Council at once appoints a clerk of |
Council who acts as general secretary |
at salary of $50 year. There is
also appointed in order a president of |
Council; a treasurer (s20 a year sal |
ary); an attorney 1925 year salary |
and a board of health.
The president presides at all meet
ings of Council, and performs the
general duties of any chairman. The |
treasurer receives a monthly account |
from tax collector with the moneys |
collected for which he gives receipts. |
He pays all bills presented to him |
with order from Council. He pays all |
interest due on bonds or other debts !
and he prepares his balances, vouchers |
receipts and items of expenditures
for the auditors examination. The
attorney does for the council any
legal work which may be necessary
and gives his advice IN all legal steps |
or problems. His salary is S25 year.
Having appointed its officers, Coun-
ell next divides into committees. In
New Hope there are six committees
and three members to each, causing
much interlocking of committees.
Each one is headed by chairman.
They are: Finance, Street, Poor,
Lamps, Fire and Borough property.
At the committee meeting matters
under its jurisdiction are discussed. A
report of the findings is made along
with report of work done and to be
done.
The Finance Committee keeps in
close touch with the assessor, tax
collector and treasurer 1t knows the
income and outgo for each month and
so reports. 1t has power to recon-
mend bond issue or other means for
relief when financial fefeits arise,
signing the notes when the Council
authorizes the Treasurer.
1t is to be remembered that this en-
dorsement of the notes gives the
whole taxable property of the Bor-
ough as security. Should it become
necessary, any property on the Asses
sor's list can be sold to liquidate the
Boroughs's debt.
At present there is small debt on
an old bond isue. This pays interest
of course, and another debt to banks