When a quick scan of the Civil Service Commission's job titles came up blank, Plaintalker made an inquiry which resulted in the citation of NJSA 40A:9-120 as the statute covering constables. It actually included a few more, up to 40A9-127, but there it was: Information on appointment, terms of office, annual charges payable by constables, badges, vacancy, oath, bond, actions on bond, reports and "actions for money payable to or by constables."
The law still didn't say exactly what constables do - catch fugitives? round up deadbeats? - but obviously somebody pays them for their work. They only pay a municipality $50 a year and the municipality has to fork over a badge. The appointing body is the municipal council and the constable must submit to the governing body comprehensive monthly reports on all activity, including fees collected.
Plaintalker did not want to post the entire statute, but will send the information to anyone as an attachment if contacted by e-mail at the address on the right-hand side of the blog.
As Olddoc reported, there is a resolution on the March 14 agenda to appoint Sheldon Green and Frank Rokins as constables. Green has been a firefighter since 1987 and has also had OEM responsibilities. No information was made public on Rokins.
Newark has constables and there is a rather lengthy vetting process before appointment. Click here to see the process in Newark.
Given that Acting Corporation Counsel James Ventantonio did not fully explain the constable position when asked on March 7, but that it appears to be an opportunity to make money with the governing body's blessing, shouldn't there be interviews at least with these two to get their take on what they will be doing if appointed? After all, the council interviews citizens who just want to serve on bodies such as the Historic Preservation Commission. Should these two people be appointed to a little-understood but possibly lucrative position just on the mayor's say-so?
--Bernice
This sounds like another way for Sharon and Jerry to give their friends or family jobs at the taxpayers' cost. Why do we need this? I'm sure beyond her pocket book, our mayor has not thought this out. If there is no immenent need for "constables", then the City Council should reject this outright. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR UNNEEDED SERVICES!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf their duties include law enforcement then they would be required to pass a background investigation that at least one of the candidates named won't be able to pass.
ReplyDeleteIs this a competitive position or something only for the two individuals named? Sounds a bit off-base to me. A bit of nepotism?
ReplyDeleteA municipality can have from two to 50 constables. So if you want to be one and especially if you know what you are supposed to do, go for it.
ReplyDeleteThe only constable that I can recall over the years was Constable Hicks.
ReplyDeleteSheldon Green is Assemblyman's Greens son. This looks like a political payoff to me, lining the pockets of the Green family at taxpayer expense.
ReplyDelete