40A:9-144. Tenure of tax collector; grant prior to December 31, 1981

On or before December 31, 1981, whenever a person has or shall have held the office of municipal tax collector for 10 consecutive years, the governing body of the municipality may grant tenure in office to such person. In the event the governing body fails to grant tenure in office to a municipal tax collector who has held that office for 10 consecutive years, a petition may be filed for a referendum vote on the question of whether the collector of taxes shall continue to hold office during good behavior and efficiency, and shall not be removed therefrom except for just cause and then only after public hearing upon a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against him. The petition shall be signed by at least 10% of the registered voters of the municipality and filed with the municipal clerk. Upon the filing of the petition the question shall be submitted to the voters at the next general or regular municipal election which shall occur not less than 60 days thereafter. The municipal clerk shall cause the question to be placed upon the official ballot to be used at the general election in the manner provided by law in substantially the following form: "Shall the collector of taxes continue to hold office during good behavior and efficiency and not be removed therefrom except for just cause and then only after public hearing upon a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against him?"

Immediately to the left of the question there shall be printed the words "Yes" and "No" , each with a square, in either of which the voter may make a cross ( x ), or a plus sign (+) or check mark ( X ) according to his choice. There shall also be printed the following: "Place a cross ( x ), or a plus sign (+) or check mark ( X ) in one of the above squares indicating your choice." Where voting machines are used, voting thereon shall be equivalent to the foregoing.

The election shall be held in accordance with the general law relating to public questions to be voted on in a single municipality at elections as provided for by Title 19 (Elections) of the Revised Statutes. No election shall be held pursuant to this section on or after January 1, 1982.

L.1971, c. 200, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1971. Amended by L.1979, c. 384, s. 15, eff. Feb. 5, 1980.