(A) The Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, shall hold a hearing on each application for development. Each Board shall make rules governing such hearings.
(B) Any maps and documents for which approval is sought at a hearing shall be on file and available for public inspection at least ten days before the date of the hearing during normal business hours in the office of the Administrative Officer. The applicant may produce other documents, records, or testimony at the hearing to substantiate, clarify, or supplement the previously filed maps and documents.
(C) The officer presiding at the hearing or such person as he may designate shall have the power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant evidence, including witnesses and documents presented by the parties, and the provisions of the County and Municipality Investigations Law (C. 2A:67A-1 et seq.) shall apply.
(D) The testimony of all witnesses relating to an application for development shall be taken under oath or affirmation by the presiding officer, and the right of cross-examination shall be permitted to all interested parties through their attorneys, if represented, or directly, if not represented, subject to the discretion of the presiding officer and reasonable limitations as to time and number of witnesses.
(E) A verbatim recording shall be made of every hearing. The recording of the proceedings shall be made either by stenographic, mechanical or electrical means. The township shall furnish a transcript or duplicate recording in lieu thereof on request to any interested party at his or her expense, provided that the charge for a transcript shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted in N.J.S.A. 2A:11-15. Each transcript shall be certified in writing by the transcriber to be accurate.
(F) If an applicant desires a certified court reporter, the costs of taking testimony and transcribing it and providing a copy of the transcript to the township or court shall be at the expense of the applicant, who shall also arrange for the attendance by the reporter. All costs for transcription of the record before the applicable Board shall be the entire and sole obligation of the applicant or appellant, whichever requests the transcript. The obligation to obtain and pay for such transcript shall be solely that of the applicant or appellant who requests the transcript.
(Ord. 945-99, passed 9-13-99)