Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15664222
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 12:14:51+00:00

Document:
§ 10-2 Prohibition on awarding public contracts to certain contributors.
§ 10-3 Contributions made prior to effective date.
§ 10-5 Contribution statement by business entity.
§ 10-6 Return of excess contributions.
§ 10-8 Violations and penalties.
§ 10-9 Citizens' private right of action.
Every political committee, continuing political committee, or other form of association or organization that regularly engages in the support of candidates for the Township of Upper Deerfield municipal or Cumberland county elective offices or Township of Upper Deerfield municipal or Cumberland political parties or political party committees.
The terms in the foregoing definition have the meaning prescribed in N.J.A.C. 19:25-1.7.
Has the meaning prescribed in N.J.A.C. 19:25-1.7. By way of illustration, and not limitation, this definition includes pledges, loans and in-kind contributions.
To any continuing political committee or political action committee that regularly engages in the support of Upper Deerfield Township municipal or Cumberland County elections and/or Upper Deerfield Township municipal or Cumberland County candidates, candidate committees, joint candidate committees, political committees, political parties, political party committees, (hereinafter "PAC"), in excess of the thresholds specified in Subsection C within one calendar year immediately preceding the date of the contract or agreement.
Any PAC between the time of first communication between that business entity and the municipality regarding a specific agreement for professional services or extraordinary unspecified services, and the later of the termination of negotiations or rejection of any proposal, or the completion of the performance or specified time period of that contract or agreement.
The monetary thresholds of this article are a maximum of $300 per calendar year each for any purpose to any candidate or candidate committee for mayor or governing body, or $500 per calendar year to any joint candidates' committee for mayor or governing body, or $300 per calendar year to any political committee or political party committee in the Township of Upper Deerfield; $500 maximum per calendar year to a Cumberland County political committee or political party committee; and $500 maximum per calendar year to any PAC. However, for each business entity party to a contract for professional or extraordinary unspecified services as defined in Subsection A, or engaged in negotiations for a contract defined in Subsection A, when such business entity's contribution is aggregated with "all persons" defined in § 10-1, Definitions, above, by virtue of their affiliation to that business entity party, a maximum of $2,500 to all Township of Upper Deerfield candidates, candidate committees, joint candidate committees, and holders of public office having ultimate responsibility of the award of a contract, all Township of Upper Deerfield or Cumberland County political committees and political party committees as described herein combined, without violating Subsection A of this section.
The Mayor of the Township of Upper Deerfield, if the contract requires approval of the Mayor, or if a public officer who is responsible for the award of a contract is appointed by the Mayor.
Prior to awarding any contract or agreement to procure professional services or extraordinary unspecified services from any business entity, the Township of Upper Deerfield or its purchasing agents and departments, as the case may be, shall receive a sworn statement from said business entity which is the intended recipient of said contract that he/she/it has not made a contribution in violation of § 10-2 of this article. The Township of Upper Deerfield, its purchasing agents and departments shall be responsible for informing the Township Committee that the aforementioned sworn statement has been received and that the business entity is not in violation of this article, prior to awarding the contract or agreement.
A business entity shall have a continuing duty to report to the Township of Upper Deerfield any contributions that constitute a violation of this act that are made during the negotiation, proposal process or the duration of a contract. The Township of Upper Deerfield, its purchasing agents and departments shall be responsible for informing the governing body within 10 business days after receipt of said report from the business entity, or at the next Township Committee meeting following receipt of said report from the business entity, whichever comes first.
The certification required under this section shall be made prior to entry into the contract or agreement with the Township of Upper Deerfield, or prior to the provision of services or goods, as the case may be, and shall be in addition to any other certifications that may be required by any other provision of law.
A business entity that is a party to a contract for professional services or extraordinary unspecified services may cure a violation of § 10-2 of this article if, within 30 days after the date on which the applicable ELEC report is published, said business entity notifies the municipality in writing and seeks and receives reimbursement of the contribution from the recipient of such contribution.
The contribution limitations prior to entering into a contract in § 10-2A do not apply to contracts which are awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after public advertising for bids and bidding therefor within the meaning of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4; or are awarded in the case of emergency under N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6. There is no exemption for contracts awarded pursuant to a fair and open process under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20 et seq.
Furthermore, any business entity that violates § 10-8A(1) through (8) shall be disqualified from eligibility for future Township of Upper Deerfield contracts for a period of four calendar years from the date of the violation.
Any person who knowingly, purposely, or recklessly violates any provision of this article, or who conspires with another person to violate any provision of this article, or who, with the purpose of promoting or facilitating a violation of this article, solicits another person to commit it, or aids or agrees, or attempts to aid another person in planning or committing it, shall be subject to punishment, including fines and/or imprisonment as fixed by law for violations of the ordinances of the Township of Upper Deerfield.
In addition to any rights that were heretofore available, or which may hereafter be available, to citizens, taxpayers, or associations, to challenge violations of this article, every person aggrieved by a violation of this article, or any taxpayer or resident of the Township of Upper Deerfield has the right, consistent with the Rules of Court, to file charges in a court of competent jurisdiction, and/or to pursue a civil action for a violation of this article in a court of competent jurisdiction, and to seek and obtain declaratory, injunctive, or other legal or equitable relief, including but not limited to, attorney fees and costs, arising from or related to a violation of this article.

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