By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh’s duties in performing marriage ceremonies is set to receive some official legislative updating.
Township Council introduced an ordinance Monday outlining the financial procedures for people getting married by West Windsor’s executive.
Couples wishing to get married at the Municipal Building will have to pay $100 per ceremony to the township under the ordinance, and if they want Mayor Hsueh to travel elsewhere to perform the ceremony, the fee would increase to $150.
Mayor Hsueh usually performs about two or three ceremonies a month, and in the past has told couples to donate the money to charitable foundations or to the township’s Recreation Department, but the ordinance will change that.
Those moneys will now be required to go into the township’s general fund. There may be a silver lining, however, especially if there are more frequent wedding ceremonies in the township, Mayor Hsueh said.
”Maybe I can conduct more weddings if the budget runs into a problem,” Mayor Hsueh said in jest.
Township Attorney Michael Herbert outlined the ordinance for Township Council on Monday.
He explained that the law represented “housekeeping” for the township in updating West Windsor’s rules to reflect the overriding state law that dictates the procedure when mayors in New Jersey conduct weddings and collect money.
”The $100 fee is left up to the municipality,” Mr. Herbert said, explaining that it is up to the township to decide how much to charge.
Some Township Council members asked whether they too could perform wedding ceremonies. Mr. Herbert said it was a power they probably didn’t want.
