About the Office of the Clerk

The Office of the Clerk is one of the oldest government offices established by state law. Municipal Clerks must hold a Registered Municipal Clerk license issued by the State of New Jersey and attend continuing education courses throughout each year to maintain their license in good standing.

Do you have a question for the Township Clerk? You may find the answer in the Township Clerk FAQs.

Track you Ballot – Click the link below:
https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-track-my-ballot.shtml

Duties of the Office of the Clerk

Secretary to the Municipal Corporation
– Custodian of the municipal seal and of all minutes, books, deeds, bonds, contracts, and archival records of the municipal corporation
– Attest to the signatures of municipal officials and officers
– Maintain receipt of service of legal documents

Secretary to the Governing Body
– Prepares meeting agendas at the discretion of the governing body
– Is present at all meetings of the governing body
– Records the minutes of every meeting
– Retains original copies of all Ordinances and Resolutions
– Administers and records Oaths of Office
– Acts as liaison to the public and correspondent on behalf of the governing body

Serves as Chief Administrative Officer of all Elections Held in the Municipality
Subject to Statutory Law Title 19
– Certify vacancies at a local level
– Maintain receipt of nominating petitions and exercise quasi-judicial authority in determining the validity of petitions
– Certify election of candidates for municipal office and maintain election results

Serves as the Chief Registrar of Voters in the Municipality
Subject to Statutory Law Title 19
– Voter Registration Applications and Voter Absentee Ballot Applications may be obtained from the Clerk’s Office.

Serves as an Administrative Officer Responsible for the Acceptance and Issuance of Licenses and Permits
The Office of the Clerk issues the following permits and licenses:
– Dog Licenses
– Raffle and Bingo Licenses
– Landlord Tenant Registrations
– Liquor Licenses and Social Affair Permits
– Solicitor’s Licenses
– Livery/Taxi Licenses
– Issues Assessment Search Certificates

Serves as a Coordinator and Records Manager
– Serves as the Custodian of Records and is responsible for the management and retention of Township records
– Implements local archives and records retention programs

Election Information:

Register to vote on line:  https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voter-registration.shtml  

NJ Voter Registration Application (paper version – click to view/download) **

** can also use to change address or party affiliation

Click here to view/download the Primary Petition for Municipal Office
Click here to view/download the Petition for Party County Committee

Click here for Election Information from Sussex County Clerk

Some Congressional Districts have been changed, effective January 2022. Sussex County no longer falls within the 11th Congressional District; Sussex County now falls under the 5th & 7th districts. Review the lists below to see if your municipality has been assigned to a new Congressional District:

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT #5
Andover Township, Branchville Borough, Frankford Township, Franklin Borough, Hamburg Borough, Hampton Township, Hardyston Township, Lafayette Township, Montague Township, Town of Newton, Sandyston Township, Sussex Borough, Vernon Township, Wantage Township

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT #7
Andover Borough, Byram Township, Fredon Township, Green Township, Hopatcong Borough, Ogdensburg Borough, Sparta Township, Stanhope Borough, Stillwater Township, Walpack Township

New Landlord Registration Requirements – effective January 1, 2023

Landlord Identity Registration Form

The State of New Jersey has adopted two (2) new laws that require municipalities to enforce regulations for landlords who maintain rental properties. Landlords are now required by these new laws to:

 Maintain certain liability insurance policies.
 Provide a valid lead-free certification for all homes built during
or prior to 1978.

The Township of Stillwater will begin to enforce these new registration requirements effective January 1, 2023 (grace period for registrations ends June 30, 2023).

All property owners who seek to register as landlords, all landlords who are renewing their registrations, and all landlords who seek a rental inspection at a change of tenancy, must comply with these new regulations and submit both certifications to the township as the State of New Jersey now requires by law.

Property owners should consult with an insurance professional and
or a lead-based paint evaluation contractor as required to satisfy these new registration requirements.

NEW LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL RENTAL PROPERTIES
The owner of a rental unit or multi-family home which is four or fewer units, one of which is owner-occupied, shall annually provide to the township a certificate of insurance that maintains liability insurance in an amount of no less than $300,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.

Otherwise, the owner of a rental unit or multi-family home shall annually provide to the township a certificate of insurance that maintains liability insurance in an amount of no less than $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.

A valid certificate of insurance must be submitted at the time of submitting a landlord registration or renewal, or seeking a rental inspection for a change of tenancy.

NEW LANDLORD VALID LEAD-SAFE CERTIFICIATION REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO STATE OF NEW JERSEY P.L. 2021, CHAPTER 182

All landlords of single family, two-family, and multi-family homes constructed prior to 1978 are required to provide to the township a valid lead-safe certification affirming the absence of lead-based paint hazards. The lead evaluation contractor must be certified to provide lead paint inspection services by the NJ Department of Community Affairs.

A valid lead-safe certification must be submitted at the time of submitting a landlord registration or renewal, or seeking a rental inspection for a change of tenancy.

A state issued list of certified lead abatement contractors can be found here:

https://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lead/ld_abat_c.pdf

If a lead evaluation contractor finds that a lead-based paint hazard exists in a dwelling unit upon conducting an inspection, then the owner of the dwelling unit shall remediate the lead-based paint hazard by using abatement or lead-based paint hazard control methods, approved in accordance with the provisions of the “Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act,” P.L.2003, c.311 (C.52:27D-437.1 et al.). Upon the remediation of the lead-based paint hazard, the lead evaluation contractor or permanent local agency shall conduct an additional inspection of the unit to certify that the hazard no longer
exists and then provide that certification to the township.