Source: https://www.njlm.org/FAQ.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 18:32:52+00:00

Document:
1. Is there a Conference App?
Yes there will be a new conference app available Oct. 3 from your device's app store. Even if you downloaded the app last year, you must download it again for 2018.
2. When will the app be available?
The 2018 Conference App will be available in app stores October 3.
3. Can I use the app from last year?
You will have to upload the app for the 2018 Conference. 2017's conference app is not up-to-date for this year's conference.
5. How can I filter sessions?
Search by keyword by tapping on the magnifying glass icon and typing in search words.
View all sessions a speaker is involved in by clicking on his/her name in the “Speakers” section.
6. How do I create a personalized schedule on the app?
Tap the box next to a session, exhibitor, or consultant name to save. A check mark will appear. Checked items will appear in your “MyEvent” section, and can be added to your personalized calendar.
7. How can I read full session descriptions that are too long for my screen?
The full descriptions are there, but you must scroll down. If you have finished scrolling down on the main screen, place your finger within the description box and scroll down again.
8. How do I ensure that my app is up to date?
When updates are available, a red exclamation mark will appear next the circle icon at the top of the main app screen. Tap on this icon to update.
9. Who do I contact for technical problems with my app on my device?
Tap on the “Help Desk” section for assistance. While League staff can help with basic questions on how to use the app, more technical issues would need to be answered by submitting a support ticket through the “Contact App Developer” option in the app.
1. When will the NJLM CEU Tracking System be available for me to print my certificates?
The NJLM CEU Tracking System will be available on Monday, November 19, 2018.
2. Where is my Badge Number located on my badge?
Your Badge Number is the number located on the bottom left hand side of your badge.
3. What if I do not have my badge number handy? Can I still login?
Absolutely! You can use your last name and zip code to log into the system. However, please note, the system is very sensitive, so if you still have your badge number, we ask that you try that before you call the League. If you still cannot log-in then call the League at 609-695-3481.
4. What does the message “Login Error: Login information not found” mean?
If you receive the message “Login Error: Login Information not found” it generally means you have incorrectly entered your login information. Try to login again. If after multiple login attempts you are still receiving this message please contact the League at 609-695-3481.
5. Why am I not able to access the CEU Tracking System?
If you attempt to log-in into the CEU Tracking System and you get a message stating: “Your badge is registered as a non paying badge and therefore is not valid for CEU registration. If you wish to obtain CEU certification…” Please try again to log-in. If that still does not work, please contact the League at 609-695-3481.
6. Do I have to fill out the Evaluation form for every session I wish to receive credit for?
Yes, Evaluation forms are mandatory for every session and the certificate will not print out unless you fill out the form.
7. What is the CTA Certificate and NJ CLE Certificate for and why are only present on certain sessions?
8. How long do I have to claim my CEUs?
You have up to May 1, 2019, to claim your conference CEUs. After that, the link will be taken off of the website.
9. I signed into a session to get Pennsylvania Legal Credits (PACLE) and they do not appear on the certificate I printed out. How can I get these?
PACLE courses require the attendee to pay a separate fee to obtain credits. Please print out either the general attendance certificate or the NJCLE certificate (if the option is there) for the course you attended and then attach it with a check to the PACLE credit form found on the League Conference page. Please mail all materials to the League office. Once received, the League will issue you a receipt by mail for your credits. The League will post your Credits on the PACLE site under your bar number.
10. What if I forgot to sign/in or sign out for a specific session? Am I still able to print a certificate?
Yes, a certificate will print as long as the attendee has scanned in once, however, attendees are required to sign-in/ sign-out for every session. Sign-in/out times are recorded on the individual certificates, so if a time is missing, the certifying agency may decide to deny credit to the attendee.
11. Why is the tracking system asking for my license number or bar id?
Some of the accrediting bodies require a license number to appear on the attendance sheets for their licensees. This feature adds that number to the attendance sheets. If you do not hold a license number this is not an issue. Simply check “I do not hold one of these licenses” and hit “save." You will still able to print a certificate.
12. What if I don’t have a license number or a bar id?
If you do not have a license number or bar id simply check the option” I do not hold any of the licenses above” and hit “save.” Once this is done the page should allow you to fill out an evaluation form and print or email your certificates.
1. Who exhibits at the Annual League Conference?
Exhibitors are companies that provide products and services used by New Jersey’s local governments. Some industries represented are: Housing, Architects, Engineers, Consultants, Telecommunications, Document Management, Heavy Equipment, Office Products, Recreation, IT, Environmental, Technology, Banking, Emergency products, Insurance, Healthcare, Security, Energy, Recycling, Storm Water, etc..
2. Who attends the Annual League Conference?
The Annual Conference is attended by New Jersey local elected and appointed officials, governing body members, purchasing agents, professional administrators, department heads and numerous other public sector officials. The attendees represent a vertical “slice” of government; a unique opportunity to meet numerous officials involved in the decision making process.
The conference is not a public or consumer show. It is an education and business event for government officials.
3. What are the exhibit hours?
4. How do I reserve a booth?
Exhibit booths cannot be reserved until the contract and payment are received in the League office.
5. What is the deadline to reserve a booth?
We continue to process contracts until all booths are sold. If you are submitting your contract after September 3 it must be accompanied by the full booth fee. The print deadline for the program is October 2. For a full list of deadlines, please refer to the 2019 Exhibitor and Sponsorship Prospectus.
6. Do I need to pay the full amount or the deposit amount?
The deposit amount (50% of the booth fee) will be accepted with your contract until September 3; after this date all contacts must be sent with the full amount due for the booth space.
7. Is there a discount for reserving multiple booths?
We do not offer a discounted rate for multiple booths.
8. Are all the booths the same price?
Yes. Every booth (including corners and “Heavy Equipment” space) is $1,600 before June 14 or $1,7600.00 afterwards. If you are a non-profit or state agency please contact Kristin Lawrence at klawrence@njlm.org or 609-695-3481 x125 for special pricing information.
9. What is included with a standard 10-foot by 10-foot booth?
NOTE: Exhibitors are responsible for all booth furnishings (tables, chairs, carpet, etc.) and utilities (electric, internet, etc.).
These items are not included with the booth but can be ordered through the Exhibitor Service Manual available August 20). Furnishings can also be provided by the exhibitor.
10. Can I fax or email my contract?
You may, but we cannot process your contract or assign a booth until your payment arrives. Please contact Suzanne DeLany at sdelany@njlm.org if your payment will be sent under separate cover.
11. When are booths assigned?
The booth assignment process begins around the beginning of May. The previous year’s exhibitors are given priority. Afterwards, all booths are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.
12. If booths aren’t assigned until May should I just wait to send in my contract so I know what is “open”?
No, don’t wait! Since booths are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis you will limit your options by waiting to send in your contract. The earlier we have your contract the more options you have. If you are concerned about what booth you will be assigned we can contact you to discuss your choices when your contract comes up for processing, after we receive your paperwork.
13. How do I request a specific booth?
Specific booth numbers can be noted on the Exhibit Space Contract in the “Booth Selection” section. Please list (in order of preference) your first four choices. If none of the choices are available we will assign the next best booth. Many exhibitors note areas of the hall rather than specific booth preferences. After June 5, the Interactive Floor Plan is posted online and can be viewed. Booth availability is determined when the Exhibit Space Contract and payment are received in the League office.
14. What exhibits display in the “Heavy Equipment” section?
The four shaded areas on the floor plan labeled “Heavy Equipment” are reserved for exhibitors to display oversized or power equipment. Any product that contains a gas tank or is battery powered (i.e., lawn mowers, dump trucks, lifts, power washers, vehicles, etc.) will be assigned a booth in one of these sections. Occasionally, commercial exhibitors that are in the “Heavy Equipment” industry but are not displaying equipment will be located within these sections.
15. What if the booth I want is already assigned to another exhibitor?
Unless it is specified for us to contact you prior to making an assignment we will assign the best booth available. If you would like to be contacted prior to us assigning your company a booth please make a note on the Exhibit Space Contract.
16. How do I request an assignment near another company?
If two companies would like to be assigned side-by-side please make all efforts to have both contracts submitted around the same time. In addition, each contract should include a note referencing the desire to be located near each other.
17. What if I received my confirmation and am not happy with my assignment?
Please review your confirmation carefully and contact us immediately so we can work with you to address your concern. Contact Kristin Lawrence at klawrence@njlm.org or 609-695-3481 x125.
If you need to cancel a booth, please contact Kristin Lawrence in writing at klawrence@njlm.org. A booth will not be deemed cancelled until you receive written confirmation (e-mail/fax/letter) from the League.
Please refer to section 15 C of the Space Agreement: Rules and Instructions regarding the League cancellation policy.
Exhibit space comes with immediate benefits. Withdrawal, cancellation or reduction of exhibit space must be done in writing and is subject to an assessment covering the reassignment of space, benefits received, and other damages related to cancellation, according to the following schedule: before September 1 the assessment is 50% of booth space fees; after September 1 the assessment is 100% of booth space fees. These amounts are agreed to be liquidated damages to compensate for the harm the League will suffer due to Exhibitor’s withdrawal, reduction/cancellation and are not a penalty. Reduction in space is considered a cancellation and new contract, and is subject to cancellation assessment, and may result in reassignment to new space.
1. Township NJSA:40A:63-1 et. seq.
2. Borough NJSA:40A:60-1 et. seq.
Head of municipal government. Sees that state laws and borough ordinances are faithfully executed. Presides over Council. Votes only to break ties. Can veto ordinances subject to override by 2/3 majority of Council. Appoints subordinate officers with Council approval; after 30 days or upon Council disapproval, Council fills posts.
3. City NJSA:40A:61-1 et. seq.
Chief Executive. May participate in Council deliberations. May vote to break ties on ordinances or resolutions. Can veto ordinances subject to a 2/3 override by Council. Heads police department. Appoints police chief, captains and sergeants with Council approval.
Legislative body of municipality. Overrides mayor's veto by 2/3 majority of all members. Appoints subordinate officials of municipality, except as provided elsewhere by law.
Mayor is chief executive. City may delegate, by ordinance, all or a portion of executive responsibility to an administrator. City may adopt administrative code.
4. Town NJSA:40A:62-1 et. seq.
Head of municipal government. Chairs Council with voice and vote. Can veto ordinances subject to a 2/3 override by Council.
Legislative body of municipality. Overrides mayor's veto by 2/3 majority of all members. Appoints all subordinate officers, except municipal clerk, tax assessor and tax collector, who are appointed by mayor and council. Has all executive responsibility not placed in office of mayor.
Mayor is head of municipal government and has all powers vested in mayor by general law. Council has all executive responsibility of municipality not placed in office of mayor. Council may delegate, by ordinance, all or a portion of executive responsibilities to an administrator. Council may adopt an administrative code.
Board of Trustees. 5 members, elected at-large. Staggered, 3 year terms.
President of the Board. Elected by Board for 1 year term. Has voice and vote. Head of municipal government has all powers vested in Mayor by general law.
Legislative body of municipality. Has all executive responsibilities of the municipality not placed in office of Village President.
Executive responsibilities not vested in Village President belong to Board of Trustees. May delegate, by ordinance, all or a portion of executive responsibilities to an administrator. Board of Trustees may adopt an administrative code.
6. Commission NJSA:40:70-1 et. seq.
3 or 5 Commissioners. At-large, nonpartisan, 4 year concurrent terms.
Third Tuesday of May following election.
Elected by Board of Commissioners for 4 year term. Presides over Board of Commissioners. No veto power.
Board of Commissioners exercises legislative power of the municipality.
Each Commissioner acts as department head. No single chief executive.
7. Municipal Manager Act of 1923 NJSA:40:79-1 et. seq.
3,5,7 or 9 Council members. At-large nonpartisan. 4 year concurrent or staggered terms.
Elected by Council. Presides over Council. Serves 4 year term if concurrent elections. Serves 2 year term if staggered elections.
Council exercises legislative and policy power of the municipality.
Manager is chief executive and administrative official of the municipality. Prepares budget. Manager appoints and removes department heads. Attends Council meetings with voice, but no vote. Manager appoints and removes department heads.
8. Faulkner Act (OMCL) Mayor-Council NJSA:40:69A-31 et. seq.
Mayor and 5,7 or 9 Council members. Council: all at-large or combination of wards and at-large. Partisan or nonpartisan. 4 year concurrent or staggered terms.
9. Faulkner Act (OMCL) Council-Manager NJSA:40:69A-81 et. seq.
5,7 or 9 Council members or Mayor and 4, 6 or 8 Council members. Mayor elected at-large. Council elected all at-large or combination of wards and at-large. Partisan or nonpartisan. 4 year concurrent or staggered terms.
Elected by council or voters. Presides over Council. Council elected mayor serves a term of 1, 2 or 4 years depending on whether elections are staggered or concurrent. Voter elected mayor serves 4 year term.
10. Faulkner Act (OMCL) Small Municipality NJSA:40:69A-115 et. seq.
3, 5 or 7 Council members or Mayor and 2, 4 or 6 Council members. Elected at-large. Council: 3 year concurrent or staggered term. Voter elected mayor serves 4 year term. Partisan or nonpartisan elections.
Elected by voters or Council. Presides over Council with voice and vote, but no veto. Exercises executive power of the municipality. Appoints Council committees. Appoints municipal clerk, attorney, tax assessor, tax collector, treasurer with Council confirmation. Council elected mayor serves 1 or 3 years, depending on whether terms are staggered or concurrent.
Exercises legislative power of the municipality. Approves Mayor's appointees for municipal clerk, attorney, tax assessor, tax collector and treasurer.
Mayor exercises executive power of municipality. Council may create an administrator by ordinance.
11. Faulkner Act (OMCL) Mayor-Council-Administrator NJSA:40:69A-149 et. seq.
Mayor and 6 council members. At-large, staggered terms, partisan elections. Mayor: 4 year term. Council: 3 year term.
Presides over Council. Exercises the executive power of municipality. Votes only to break ties. Has veto subject to override by 2/3 of all Council members. Appoints municipal clerk, administrator, attorney, tax collector, tax assessor, treasurer, and department heads with Council approval. May remove department heads upon written notice to Council.
Exercises legislative power of the municipality. Approves Mayor's appointees for municipal clerk, administrator, attorney, tax collector, tax assessor, treasurer and department heads. May remove department heads for cause after a hearing. Prepares budget with assistance of municipal administrator and treasurer.
There are two types of special charters in New Jersey: 1) "Orphan" charters issued by the state legislature in the 19th century prior to the major constitutional revision of 1875, which prohibited "special" or locality specific legislation. Most "orphan" charters are a variation of the weak mayor-council type. 2) Special charters issued by the state legislature under the provisions of the state Constitution of 1947 and NJSA 1:6-10 et seq. These special charters defy simple classification, and include variations of the weak mayor-council form, council-manager form, township committee form, and the village form.
1. How difficult is it for local governments to share services?
The difficulty depends upon the context of the service and amount of change involved in the process. First, there must be political will to pursue creation of a joint service. There will always be some rough spots, either operational, personnel or fiscal impacts that will need to be surmounted. Second, a vacancy in a leadership position such as the service's director position makes sharing or jointly providing a service much easier. Third, "participant buy-in" will increase the probability of success. Decision making should be a participative affair, not a dictate from a distant authority. All affected parties need to understand the financial, programmatic and personnel reasons for and impacts of the proposed change. This is often the reason municipalities complete formal or informal feasibility studies before initiating a joint service.
2. What are some of the steps that local governments should take when exploring the possibility of sharing services?
Preliminarily identify the service you wish to examine and/or the agency with which service you would like to share the process.
Sit down with staff to identify services that they voluntarily consider ripe for sharing or joint provision. Meet often to discuss the matter and keep staff thinking about opportunities for sharing.
Create regular meetings to discuss opportunities for sharing with both staff and sister/brother agencies. Both agencies should continuously question staff about sharing or joint service opportunities.
Search for service units that seem to have resources that are not fully expended and can be offered to other agencies or service units that need additional resources that might be obtained from other agencies.
3. Why is a feasibility study important? Are there any steps that should be taken before implementing a feasibility study?
It is not always clear that all of the financial and operational elements of a joint service will actually work.
A feasibility study will provide elected and appointed managerial officials with insights into the operation and identify capital, financial, human, and other resource impacts permitting a more reasoned and responsible decision regarding possible sharing.
4. What are some common problems that local governments encounter when attempting to implement shared service agreements?
Or any combination or all of the above.
5. Do you have any suggestions for possible solutions to these common problems that local governments encounter when attempting to implement shared service agreements?
Conscientiously review the feasibility issues regarding personnel, financial, capital and other resources to assure their accuracy and reasonableness.
Document your experiences with the first joint service to clearly and objectively determine if the action was financially or operationally successful, in other words, it met expectations.
Include the affected employees in the process from the beginning and all along the way.
Show that sharing can work by choosing service units that are ripe for joint administration as early success stories.
6. Are there any negatives to sharing services?
7. That said, what are the benefits to sharing services?
Ultimately, the primary objective of joining with another agency to provide a service is to increase efficiency and/or effectiveness. It is necessary that both parties in the sharing arrangement gain something: either a lower cost for the same service level or an improved service, a higher service level or more people served. Other benefits may be increased capacity or capabilities.
By joining with another municipality to provide health services the cost to your own municipality falls from $200,000 per year to $175,000 per year.
By joining with another municipality to provide recreation services, the number of participants increases for both municipalities by 25% without any increase in costs.
By joining with another municipality, you do not need to buy a new sweeper, but your partner receives $5000 per year for the rental of their sweeper to you.
By joining with another municipality, you will now sweep your streets five times per year instead of only two times per year at no added cost.
1. Where can I find more information on the legislative Bills that have been proposed in New Jersey?
For bill/legislative information visit our Legislative Bulletin or click here to visit the NJ State Legislature's website. You may also try contacting one of the League's legislative analysts by calling 609-695-3481, and dialing extension 112, 121 or 120, or via email by clicking on the name of the analyst that you would like to contact: Lori, Jon or Mike C.
2. Why is talking about Property Tax important?
The amount of property tax relief funding that municipalities get from the State - the vast majority of which is raised from the Income Tax and from utility taxes that were formerly collected by municipalities - directly affects the level of public services in your community and the amount of property taxes that you pay.
When your property tax bill goes up and municipal services don’t meet your needs, ask your State Legislators and the Governor if the State is providing your home town with adequate financial aid. Municipal property tax relief funding can help to pay for the local services you need and can keep your property taxes from going up - again.
Click here to view a full resource center on this topic.
1. How do I subscribe to NJ Municipalities magazine?
2. When should I expect my copy of NJ Municipalities magazine to arrive?
The magazine is mailed out between the 1st through the 5th of each month (for example, the February issue is mailed out between February 1st-5th). You should expect to receive your copy sometime shortly after that time frame.
3. How do I change my address for my magazine subscription?
Please contact NJLM's Subscription Manager, Tom Fratticcioli.
4. What are your editorial deadlines for NJ Municipalities magazine?
Click here to view an editorial calendar with deadlines (PDF). For information on submitting articles to NJLM's magazine click here.
5. Where can I find information about advertising in NJ Municipalities magazine?
Display advertising is available for purchase in the magazine. The magazine also features a Business Directory in the back of each. Click here for more information.
1. I have heard that the Attorney General has specifically exempted attorneys from the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Is this true, and if so, why are they given special treatment?
The Attorney General has advised that attorneys acting in their advisory roles as attorneys to records custodians are not subject to discipline under the Open Public Records Act because the practice of law in New Jersey is regulated and its practitioners are disciplined exclusively by the state Supreme Court. However, if an individual is acting as a record custodian and violates OPRA, the fact that he or she is a New Jersey attorney will not insulate him or her from discipline under OPRA. It is the practice of law that is not subject to OPRA sanctions, because it is subject to other regulation instead. Individuals who happen to be attorneys are not given "special treatment" just because they are attorneys.
2. Is email sent by a municipal employee subject to the Open Public Records Act? If so, what about email sent from his or her home computer?
Yes. Email sent by municipal employees is subject to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) under the same conditions that regular mail or other written communications by these employees are covered by the Act. It is the subject matter of the email, rather than where it originated or where it is stored, that determines whether it is a "public record" under OPRA. If it discusses official municipal business and the subject matter is not protected by an exemption under the law, then it can be requested and must be released under OPRA.
3. Our municipality is being sued in state court over denial of a variance and using OPRA. Doesn’t he need to use the discovery rules to obtain material concerning litigation as parties have always done?
No. Recent case law indicates that he may well be able to use the Open Public Records Act in this manner, to supplement the Rules of Discovery or even instead of the usual discovery process. In the case of Mid-Atlantic Recycling Technologies, Inc. v. City of Vineland, Law Div. (Stanger, A.J.S.C.), an unpublished opinion, the plaintiff sought documents under Open Public Records Act (OPRA) relating to its federal suit claiming the city selectively enforces environmental claims. The Court ordered the City to turn over the 12,000 pages of documents requested. Judge Stanger rejected Vineland's claim that this use of OPRA was a circumvention of discovery rules.
In the related federal case in the District of New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic Recycling Technologies, Inc. v. City of Vineland, et al., U.S. District Court (Donio, U.S.M.J.), the Court denied the defendant's request for a protective order to prevent plaintiff from obtaining the records in question under OPRA. The Court found that Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure did not, as defendant claimed, override a litigant's right to obtain documents under OPRA from a governmental entity that is a party to the litigation.
Therefore, municipalities should honor an otherwise valid OPRA request from an opposing party in litigation related to the subject matter of the litigation.
4. With Open Public Records Act (OPRA), what do I do with attorney-client privilege information, such as with detailed bills, when a request is sent?
The privileged information can be redacted from the bills, but an explanation for its exemption from disclosure under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) must be given. An unexplained claim of "attorney-client privilege" alone may not be enough. Of course, the challenge is to give a sufficient explanation to support the claim of privilege without revealing your client's privileged information.
This is a common problem, and many attorneys are switching to billing that contains no confidential information. After all, the bill detail is for the benefit of the client, and the client can always view the information in their file that is totally covered by attorney-client privilege to learn the confidential details of their legal representation. Put in the billing records only the information needed to justify the billing and maintain a separate file memoranda which can contain the privileged information.
5. Is the financial disclosure form that I file under the Local Public Ethics law as a municipal official subject to release under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA)?
Executive Order 26, 4. (b) (3) does say that, for purposes of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), an individual's financial information is not a public record, "...except as otherwise required by law to be disclosed." The Local Public Ethics Law, NJ.S.A. 40A: 9 to 22.1 et seq., is just such a law requiring financial disclosure by municipal officials. The whole point of the filing of these statements is to require openness about financial information from public servants. Therefore, these Financial Disclosure Statements are considered government records and must be released to requesters under the Open Public Records Act.
6. I am a municipal clerk and a reporter for a regional newspaper recently called and asked for the salaries of all municipal employees. Do I have to release this information?
Yes, under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) you must release this information. Similarly, employment contracts between municipal officials and the municipality, and professional invoices submitted to a municipal government are also accessible under OPRA (although certain confidential information may have to be redacted). When individuals become public officials or employees, some information concerning them becomes open to the public in a way it would not be if they worked in the private sector only. This has always been true to some extent, but more such information is open to public scrutiny now that OPRA is in place.
7. I requested a transcript of a municipality meeting and was told it takes weeks, don't they have to provide this to me within seven business days of my request under the law?
The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requires records be provided in the medium requested, if the town keeps the record in that medium. If it does not, it must convert the records to the medium requested and then provide it. NJ.S.A. 47:1A-5(d). However, the town may charge you not only the costs of duplication but "a special charge that shall be reasonable and shall be based on the cost for any extensive use of information technology, or for the labor cost of personnel providing the service, that is actually incurred by the agency or attributable to the agency for the programming, clerical, and supervisory assistance required, or both."
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i) states that a requested record must be provided within seven business days, unless the record is in storage or archived. No exception is made for a delay due to changing the medium. However, several cases have found that a delay is justified and no violation occurred when the request required an extraordinary expenditure of labor and costs and a response within the seven day period would have substantially disrupted operations. NJ. Builders Association v. NJ. Council on Affordable Housing, 390 NJ. Super. 166 (App. Div. 2007).
8. A resident who had a variance application denied has asked me for all “similar variance denials” by the municipality. How would I handle this?
According to rulings of the Government Records Council and the Appellate Division, this request is not an appropriate Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request. OPRA requests must be for specific, identifiable records, rather than information. The requester cannot require that the records custodian do research to find all records on a broad topic like the one you describe. In Reda v. Twp. of West Milford, GRC Complaint No. 2002-58 (January 17, 2003), an individual asked for information regarding a municipality's liability settlements, but did not request specific records. The GRC rejected the request, noting that the custodian is only required to retrieve records, and the requester must do any research and analysis required.
The Appellate Division reversed the Law Division order requiring defendant to comply with an improper OPRA request in MAG Entertainment. LLC v. Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 NJ Super 534 (App. Div. 2005). The requester asked for all records concerning ABC suspensions of liquor licenses for serving liquor to an intoxicated person in connection with a fatal auto accident or concerning such suspensions for more than 45 days for "lewd or immoral activity." In denying the request, the Court said "...OPRA does not countenance open-ended searches of an agency's files...(T)he request failed to identify with any specificity or particularity the governmental records sought..."
Similarly, the request that was made to you is not an appropriate OPRA request. You should explain to the requester in your denial why you cannot comply with the request as given. If he can identify the records sufficiently so that you can retrieve them without extensive research and analysis, then you should, of course, do so.
9. Do requestors have to use the official Open Public Records Act (OPRA) form?
Yes and no. In the case of Renna v. County of Union, 407 NJ.Super. 230,, (App. Div. 2009), the Court said: "We hold that all requests for OPRA records must be in writing; that such requests shall utilize the forms provided by the custodian of the records; however, no custodian shall withhold such records if the written request for such records, not presented on the official form, contains the requisite information prescribed in NJ.S.A. 47:1A-5(f)."
The Court stated that requests should be made on the form provided by the custodian of records, but that, so long as all the required information is present, failure to use the form cannot result in a refusal to withhold the records.
The Court went on to say: "In the event the submitted writing, exclusive of the form, is insufficient for the custodian to fulfill its statutory responsibility, such as the record may not be subject to OPRA or the request does not contain sufficient information, the custodian may require the requester to complete the official form."
10. The court awarded substantial attorneys fees to the plaintiff in a settlement with our municipality. Can such fees be ordered in the context of a settlement?
Yes. In 2006, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that a plaintiff who filed suit under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) could qualify as a "prevailing party" for award of counsel fees under the Act even though the case had been settled. In Cynthia Teeters v. the Division of Youth and Family Services, 387 NJ. Super. 423 (App. Div. 2007) the Court supported its findings with case law demonstrating the State's history of liberal construction of fee shifting provisions as well as its encouragement of the settlement process.
The Court emphasized that in this case a satisfactory settlement was reached only because of the plaintiff's efforts in filing suit, and the plaintiff's actions were thus the "catalyst" that allowed her to prevail in obtaining the records she sought. The Court said: "Petitioner engaged in reasonable efforts to pursue her access rights to the records in question. She sought attorney assistance only after her self-filed complaints and personal efforts were unavailing. With that assistance, she achieved a favorable result that reflected an alteration of position and behavior on the Division's part."
The Court went on to point out that not awarding counsel fees in a settlement situation would put the plaintiff in a worse economic position than if she continued to litigate, and this result would not serve the state policy encouraging settlement of litigation. Furthermore, the history of OPRA indicated that a liberal application of its attorney fee provisions is appropriate. "It is also clear that the repeal of NJ.S.A. 47:1A-4, shortly after NJ.S.A. 47:1A-6 and -7 were adopted, was a renunciation of a narrower attorney's fees rule (i.e., embodying a prerequisite for a court order requiring disclosure, a limitation to $500, and a discretionary authority in the trial court) in favor of the broader, mandatory standard of entitlement based on the sole test of ‘prevail[ing] in any proceeding,' and subject to a rule of reasonableness with no expressed monetary limitation."
1. Are property taxes a big problem for the people of New Jersey?
Yes. When we look at the statistics, the scope of the problem can be intimidating. Please review our full answer on our related page.
2. But what about all the money that the State gives to municipalities?
For well over 10 years now, however, it has been standard operating procedure to give our State’s struggling citizens less. Learn more on our related page.
3. Why do New Jersey local governments need funding from the State?
Because the State establishes tax policy for all levels of government in New Jersey, and because the State has made itself the collection agent for many taxes that used to be locally assessed and collected. Learn more on our tax relief data page.
4. Why do you call it “municipal property tax relief” and not “State aid”?
The lion’s share of the money that municipalities receive from the State is a replacement for funds that were originally collected by the municipalities and provided direct sources of municipal revenue. Learn more on our tax relief data page.
5. Can cutting local budgets reduce property taxes?
Yes. But there is a limit to what can be reduced. Police salaries and benefits often represent the biggest components of municipal budgets. These salaries are often set by arbitrators, pursuant to State Law. Review the other factors of this budgeting process.
6. Can local governments hold down the costs of public services?
Yes, and they are doing so. No municipal official wants to raise taxes. In addition to their commitment to their constituents, they are also motivated by an enlightened self-interest. See the rest of this answer on our definitions page.
7. How can the State provide needed relief to local governments and, more importantly, to property taxpayers?
Policy makers in Trenton need to recognize the fact that there is a connection between property tax relief funding and property tax relief. New Jersey local governments need significant, dependable, sustainable sources of revenue, other than property taxes. View more on this on our related page.
1. Why is talking about tax relief important?
2. How is the responsibility for taxing and spending divided between the State and local governments in New Jersey?
State government and local governments share responsibilities and resources. Both the State and local governments (municipalities, counties and school districts) must provide a variety of important public services. But the ability of each of these levels of government differs greatly.
Unlike the State, local governments have few revenue options available to pay for services. This has resulted in the continued heavy reliance on property taxation as the major source of revenue for municipalities, counties and school districts. Because the value of property varies widely from municipality to municipality, many local governments are unable to meet local service needs.
View our Taxpayer dollar explanation document (PDF).
Municipalities, counties and school districts need enough money to pay for the many essential services that they provide. Paying for and providing many of these services (including, for example, education, transportation, law enforcement and environmental protection) is a joint responsibility of state government and local governments. But New Jersey local governments are not only responsible for delivering most of these services; they also bear the primary responsibility for financing them.
In the area of education, for example, local property taxpayers pay most of the costs, even though the State has a Constitutional obligation to ensure a thorough and efficient education for all of our children. Historically, the State’s share of K-12 public school expenditures is around 40%. State law limits how local governments can raise money. Other than State and Federal funding, New Jersey local governments have only property taxes and limited user fees (charges imposed upon residents and businesses that use or receive a specific service).
We call it municipal property tax relief funding, and not “State aid,” for this reason: the lion’s share of the money that municipalities receive from the State is a replacement for funds that were originally direct sources of municipal revenue. From Public Utility Gross Receipts and Franchise Taxes, now distributed as Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief, to Business Personal Property Taxes, Financial Business Taxes and Class II Railroad Property Taxes, all of which have been folded into Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid, these revenues were intended for municipal use from their beginnings. When the State, at the request and for the convenience of the taxpaying businesses, became the collection agent for these taxes, it pledged to redistribute the funds back to local governments.
So, from our perspective, these do not constitute new “aid” from the Treasurer of New Jersey. Instead, we see them as local revenues, temporarily displaced. View this related page for similar information.
5. What about user fees?
User fees and other non-tax revenue provide a minimal support to New Jersey local governments and can only be used for certain specified purposes. They cannot, by State law, be used to offset the costs of most services, such as police protection, snow removal, public education or maintenance of public facilities. Furthermore, user fees limit the availability of services for those who cannot afford to pay.
6. That leaves property taxes and property tax relief funding from the State. What is the deal with State funding?
According to State sources, in Fiscal Year 2001, the State provided municipalities with about $1.604 billion in general property tax relief funding. In the State’s last Fiscal Year (2005), the figure was around $1.682 billion (which includes $2.5 million in Taxpayer Hero Grants that were appropriated, but never distributed). Though we appreciate the State’s struggle to provide a little less than a 5% increase in tough budgetary times; at about half the rate of inflation, that’s hardly enough to help us to stem the property tax crisis.
7. How does New Jersey’s property tax burden compare with other States?
The property tax accounts for over 40% of total State and local tax revenue in our State. The National average is just slightly above 30%. In 2002, the New Jersey per capita property tax burden amounted to $1,887 - almost doubling the National average of $979. New Jersey property taxes equaled 5%, as a percentage of personal income - almost 2 points above the National average of 3.2%. And in our State, those with the least shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden. Households with incomes in the lowest 20 % pay 9.2% of their earnings in property taxes, while the wealthiest 20 % pay 3.6% of their income through this assessment.
8. Can cutting local budgets reduce property taxes?
Yes, but there is a limit to what can be reduced. Police salaries and benefits often represent the biggest components of municipal budgets. The salaries are often set by arbitrators, pursuant to State Law. And the post-retirement benefits are also often mandated by the State. Education costs make up the largest portion of the average property tax bill. And much of that is spent for compliance with State laws and regulations. New Jersey local officials make difficult choices to keep the lid on property taxes every year. Last year the statewide total county tax levy was $3.5 billion. The total municipal levy was $4.7 billion. The total school district levy was $10.2 billion. In 2003, the county levy was $3.1 billion. The municipal levy was $4 billion. The school levy was $8.8 billion.
The underlying demand for local public services continues to increase, and the costs continue to rise with inflation and population growth. Without commensurate increases in relief funding, increases in property taxes are inevitable.
9. Can local governments hold down the costs of public services?
Yes. And they are doing so. No municipal official wants to raise taxes. In addition to their commitment to their constituents, they are also motivated by an enlightened self-interest (They pay property taxes, too.) and by a desire to remain in the public’s service beyond the next election. Local budgets are subject to intense public scrutiny. Inflation alone forces municipalities to spend more, just to maintain current service levels. But aside from inflation, local expenditures are driven by demographics. Public school enrollments are on the rise. And service demands related to the aging of the “baby boom” generation will also increase on into the future.
10. How can the State provide needed relief to local governments and, more importantly, to property taxpayers?
Pass legislation that would ask the voters to authorize a special convention for property tax reform, and a concurrent resolution that would allow the convention to propose statutory changes.
11. Do we really need a special convention for property tax reform? Isn’t that the job of the Legislature?
The Legislature has always had the power to address the property tax crisis. The Legislature has had ample opportunity to address the property tax crisis. The Legislature has not addressed the property tax crisis. Despite decades of inaction, incredibly, there are those who still believe that the Legislature, and the Legislature alone, should have the right to accomplish significant and lasting property tax reform. We would welcome that. But don't let anybody tell you that is the surest route to true reform. And don't let anybody tell you that movement towards a property tax convention precludes the possibility of Legislative progress.
Legislative action on a special property tax convention bill will do nothing to prevent the unanticipated, unprecedented and highly unlikely prospect that the Legislature just might decide, at long last, to lance this festering sore on the body politic. All action on a convention bill will do is set a time limit.
The Legislature will have until Election Day 2006 to convince the people of New Jersey that they do not need a special convention to get true property tax reform. If they can do that, there will be no special convention. If they cannot, then there has to be one. With property tax pressures almost certain to intensify this year, the people of New Jersey must be given a hope for future relief. They expect the Senate and General Assembly, as well as Governor Codey, to act on a property tax convention bill, in time to get the question on this November's ballot. They need nothing more than that. They deserve nothing less.
1. How many more women are needed in politics?
Since women make up more than 50 percent of the total population, one standard might be that women should hold half the elected positions, but obviously there is no agreement on what is the right number or the number that might indicate progress in achieving better representation. Given its education and income level of the state's population, New Jerseyans might expect that women would comprise a larger percentage of elective officials in their state.
Another aspect is what appears to be the "pipeline problem." The low number of women mayors raises questions about how well the base is built for women to move on to higher office. On the other hand, more than a third of the county offices are held by women, but apparently this does not lead to moving on to the legislature.
2. Why do we need women in government?
The matter of fairness becomes particularly important when addressing the barriers to women achieving elective office and raises the questions of why they are not included in an affirmative manner. As for talent, this concept, which encompasses knowledge and experience, recognizes that women have a demonstrated track record of educational achievement, and leadership in political and civic affairs that is useful to society and therefore should not be ignored.
Making a difference means that having women elected officials shapes a different outcome in the public policy process. Research studies, including seminal studies conducted by the Center for American Women and Politics, show that "despite differences in party control, political climate, and ideology...., the presence of women made a difference in shaping the terms of debate and in the public policy outcomes."
3. What women do to increase the numbers?
The concept of "more" also implies that there are actions that can be taken to up the percentages of women holding elective office. Once women achieved the right to vote, the next effort was to promote the women's role in government and prepare them for public office. Read more about strategy and leadership on Increase the Numbers page.
4. What are the barriers?
Given all the efforts women have organized to attain political office and the evidence they have marshaled that women's involvement makes a difference, why doesn't it happen? The reasons are probably embedded in our political structure. Find out more on the Barriers page.

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