New Jersey municipalities should be aware that the new law requiring traffic patrol vehicles to be equipped with cameras is now in effect. The new mandate applies to any vehicle acquired on or after March 1, 2015. The new legislation, which was signed last fall by Gov. Chris Christie, will
New Jersey lawmakers are currently considering two companion bills that would make it easier for New Jersey communities to pursue municipal consolidation. The legislation, which has bi-partisan support, recently cleared the by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. The goal of the proposed bill (A-1739/S-316) is to increase the
Achieving the proper balance between development and the preservation of open space is a priority for many New Jersey communities. Legislation currently pending before the State Assembly would expand the use of county and municipal open space trust funds to acquire property. Current law, P.L. 1997, C. 24 (N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.1
Key deadlines are approaching for New Jersey municipalities, on a calendar fiscal year, that are considering holding a public referendum to exceed either the two percent levy cap or the one and a half appropriation cap. In a recent notice, the Division of Local Government Services provided guidance for managing
The case of Harrison Board of Education v. Netchert, which was recently approved for publication, presented what the court deemed an “interesting conundrum”: whether a referendum question that plaintiff concedes has no actual legal effect on the relationship between the parties nonetheless should be barred. The court ultimately answered no.
As part of his State of the Union Address, President Obama touched on an important new initiative that could make it easier for New Jersey municipalities to build and run digital communications infrastructures. Under President Obama’s plan, aimed at increasing competition and innovation while safeguarding net neutrality, the federal government
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which involves whether an Arizona town’s sign ordinance violates the First Amendment. While the Court seemed inclined to give municipalities some leeway in regulating signs, it is unclear where the justices will draw the line. As
Last summer, Governor Chris Christie signed two bills that allow New Jersey municipalities to regulate vacant and abandoned residential properties in foreclosure proceedings. Municipalities may regulate the care, maintenance, security, and upkeep of these properties. As previously reported on this blog, P.L. 2014 c. 5, which took effect on July
