Month: October 2015

NJ Supreme Court Issues Affordable Housing “Gap” Ruling

A Municipality’s Credibility Matters in Chapter 91 Actions

A recent decision by the New Jersey Tax Court highlights that a municipality’s credibility matters, particularly in cases involving compliance with N.J.S.A. 54:4-34, commonly known as Chapter 91. In R&M Mfg. v. Twp. of Monroe, the Court approved the Township’s motion to dismiss a tax appeal because it found the

New Jersey Passes Bill to Tax Short-Term Rentals

Jersey City Proposes Ordinance Authorizing Airbnb Rentals

Jersey City has become the first New Jersey municipality to formally sanction the home-sharing platform, Airbnb, which is banned from many metropolitan areas, including New York City. Under an agreement reached with the short-term rental company, Airbnb will charge and collect the standard hotel tax on their rentals in the

New Jersey Voters to Decide Library Funding Question

Rutgers University Wins OPRA Appeal

Rutgers University recently prevailed in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Open Public Records Act and the common law right of access. The Appellate Division’s decision in Academy Express LLC v. Rutgers, The State Univ. highlights the confusion that can arise when OPRA challenges become entangled with public contract disputes.

Bill Would Eliminate Five Percent Down Payment for Bond Ordinances

DLGS issues Guidance on Bid Threshold Increases

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2015-20, which addresses the new minimum bid thresholds that were changed on July 1, 2015. New Jersey municipalities are advised to review their procurement policies and implementing ordinances to determine if any changes are necessary. Unless certain exceptions apply,

NJ Supreme Court to Consider Disclosure of Police Dash Cam Videos

NJ Council on Local Mandates Puts Police Camera Requirement on Hold

The New Jersey Council on Local Mandates has put the state’s police camera law on hold, at least temporarily. The statute requires that every new or used municipal police vehicle purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired on or after the bill’s effective date that is primarily used for traffic stops must

Proposed NJ Bill Bans Third Party Tax Appeals

Chapter 91 Compliance Causes Headaches for NJ Municipalities

The Tax Court of New Jersey recently issued three decisions that should be of interest to New Jersey municipalities. All of the cases involved a request for income and expense information from the municipal tax assessor pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:4-34, commonly known as Chapter 91. Chapter 91 authorizes New Jersey

NJ Appeals Court: Plaintiff Can’t Anonymously Pursue OPRA Complaint

NJ Appeals Court: Plaintiff Can’t Anonymously Pursue OPRA Complaint

The Appellate Division recently ruled against a plaintiff attempting to anonymously pursue a complaint under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) in Superior Court. According to the court’s decision in A.A. v. Gramiccioni, there is no statutory authorization, rule authorization or compelling reason authorizing the plaintiff to prosecute

landlord fees

Proposed NJ Legislation Requires Disclosure of Bidder List

New Jersey lawmakers have approved legislation that would require municipalities to release a bid list prior to the bid date. The bill currently awaits Gov. Chris Christie’s signature. Assembly Bill No. 947 would specifically require local contracting units to release, upon request, the names of all parties who have received