40:43-66.58. Recommendations in final report

24. In its final report the consolidation commission may recommend:

a. That a referendum be held to submit to the registered voters of the participating municipalities the question of whether or not the participating municipalities shall be consolidated into a single new municipality pursuant to the plan of consolidation set forth in the report. In which case, the commission shall also recommend:

(1) The adoption of one of the plans or forms of government authorized under the "Optional Municipal Charter Law," the "commission form of government law," or the "municipal manager form of government law;" or,

(2) That the governing bodies of the participating municipalities shall petition the Legislature, pursuant to Article IV, Section VII, Paragraph 10, of the Constitution, for the enactment of the special charter set forth in the final report of the commission; or,

(3) That the plan or form of government of one of the participating municipalities be retained as the plan or form of government of the consolidated municipality.

b. That the participating municipalities not be consolidated into a single new municipality. In which case, the commission may, if it deems appropriate, make alternative findings and recommendations to the governing bodies of the participating municipalities, in lieu of political consolidation, concerning the consolidation or regionalization of separate municipal services and functions pursuant to any of the statutes of this State that authorize and permit joint action, consolidation or regionalization of municipal services and functions; provided, however, that in the case of a finding or recommendation concerning the consolidation or regionalization of law enforcement services and functions, the joint action, consolidation, or regionalization shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of the "Interlocal Services Act," P.L.1973, c.208 (C.40:8A-1 et al.) or the "Consolidated Municipal Service Act," P.L.1952, c.72 (C.40:48B-1 et seq.). Such alternative findings and recommendations may take either of the following forms:

(1) A recommendation for the consolidation or regionalization of specific functions and services, which may include a designation of which functions or services are to be consolidated or regionalized and a suggested schedule therefor; or,

(2) A recommended schedule for the staged regionalization or consolidation of the functions and services of the participating municipalities over some specific period of time leading to the reconsideration of the question of political consolidation at a later date.

L.1977,c.435,s.24; amended 1992,c.145,s.1.