While new technology like e-mail and social media makes it easier for government officials to communicate with colleagues, it can also lead to inadvertent violations of the New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). As a result, many municipalities are amending their public meeting rules to specifically address electronic communications.
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently ruled that violations of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) by Rutgers University are not actionable. While the court acknowledged that the university’s Board of Governors did not fully comply with the letter of the law, it held that the minor violations did
The New Jersey Supreme Court continues to shed light on the liability of New Jersey municipalities when it comes to their rescue squards. In a recent decision, the state’s highest court held that rescue squads that provide intermediate and basic life support services are not immune from suit, even though
A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that Gov. Chris Christie can seize unused affordable housing trust funds from New Jersey municipalities. However, municipalities must be given adequate notice as well as an opportunity to contest the transfer. Under current New Jersey affordable housing law, municipalities must spend money from
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently clarified that the state’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) does have its limits. The Court addressed whether certain records related to the Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic’s representation of its clients should be fair game under OPRA. The lawsuit, Sussex Commons Associates v. Rutgers, arose
Earlier this week, we told you about Wilson v. City of Jersey City, in which the Appellate Division (on remand from the Supreme Court) held that the conduct of Jersey City’s 9-1-1 operators was not “wanton and willful” and thus they were entitled to immunity pursuant Title 52, N.J.S.A. 52:17C-10.
Legislation approved by the New Jersey Legislature on June 25, 2012 and expected to be signed by Governor Christie has removed what had been a major obstacle to the widespread installation of solar energy facilities by municipalities, school districts and other public entities. Until now, if a public entity wanted
Even though they have important jobs, 9-1-1 operators are not infallible. In Wilson v Jersey City, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that emergency service providers are entitled to immunity from lawsuits unless they recklessly disregard the safety of the public in a way that is “willful and wanton.” In
