reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.51 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.51 - Meetings and hearings; application of Open Public Meetings Act; subpenas

40:43-66.51. Meetings and hearings; application of Open Public Meetings Act; subpenas  The commission shall hold its meetings and hearings in accordance with the provisions of the "Open Public Meetings Act" (P.L.1975, c. 231; C. 10:4-6 et seq.), and shall generally provide for the widest possible public information and discussion with regard to the purposes and progress of its work. The commission shall have the power to take testimony and issue subpenas; to compel the attendance of officers and employees of the participating municipalities; to compel the production of all books, documents and other papers of the participating municipalities; and, to administer oaths to persons appearing before it to testify. Any such subpenas shall be enforceable, and misconduct of a witness may be dealt with, in the manner provided by the "County and Municipal Investigations Law" (P.L.1953, c. 38; C. 2A:67A-1 et seq.). L.1977, c. 435, s. 17, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.52 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.52 - Compensation of members; reimbursement of expenses

40:43-66.52. Compensation of members; reimbursement of expenses  Members of the consolidation commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties. L.1977, c. 435, s. 18, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.54 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.54 - Study of fiscal aspects of proposed consolidation.

40:43-66.54 Study of fiscal aspects of proposed consolidation.  20. a. The Department of Community Affairs shall, within five months from the date of its receipt of all the election results or ordinances, or both, establishing a commission pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.41), prepare an objective study of the fiscal aspects of the proposed consolidation, and shall report its findings to the commission. b. The department shall, to every possible extent, advise and cooperate with any consolidation commission created pursuant to P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.) and shall make available its facilities, records, and technical and professional resources. The department shall consider promptly any commission application for a State grant to conduct, or any commission request for the department to conduct, any other feasibility study or studies consistent with the provisions of P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.); provided, however, that whenever any such study or studies are to be conducted by a party other than the department, said party shall be approved by, and conduct such study or studies under the supervision of, the department. Upon approval of such study or studies, the commissioner shall certify the amount approved therefor to the State Treasurer, who shall make immediate payment thereon. Any application for financial assistance submitted by a commission created pursuant to P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.) shall have first claim on any moneys appropriated under any State aid or grant program that authorizes the use of funds for these purposes. At the written request of such a commission, a reservation of moneys shall be made by the commissioner prior to the formal filing of an application therefor by such commission. L.1977,c.435,s.20; amended 1999, c.58, s.7.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.56 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.56 - Filing of final report, recommendations.

40:43-66.56 Filing of final report, recommendations.  22. a. The joint municipal consolidation study commission shall publish and file its final report and recommendations within ten calendar months from the date all of its members are elected or appointed. A copy of such final report signed by the chairman of the commission shall be filed with the Secretary of State, the department, the county clerk and with the municipal clerk of each participating municipality. Included in such final report shall be: a statement, if any, by any member of the commission dissenting from the findings and recommendations set forth in the final report; and the department's findings on the fiscal aspects of the proposed consolidation. The municipal clerks shall deliver a copy of such final report to each member of the governing body of their respective municipalities. The commission shall cause a reasonable number of copies of the final report to be printed and made available to the general public upon request. b. If the commission recommends consolidation, it shall prepare an "official abstract" of its report and recommendations and plan of consolidation consisting of a concise statement, which shall be objective in content and presentation, and shall be descriptive of the substance of the plan. At the time the commission publishes and files its final report, and again on a date not less than 30 days preceding the date fixed for the election, the commission shall cause the official abstract to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the participating municipalities, together with notice of: (1) The time, place and purpose of the election; (2) The manner in which copies of the commission's final report and recommendations may be obtained; (3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1999, c.58.) (4) The fact that if the voters favor the consolidation by a majority vote in each of the participating municipalities, the consolidation plan shall become binding and legally enforceable between or among such municipalities. L.1977,c.435,s.22; amended 1999, c.58, s.8.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.57 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.57 - Discharge of commission

40:43-66.57. Discharge of commission  The consolidation commission shall be discharged: a. On the date of the filing of its final report and recommendations, if such report recommends against the consolidation of the participating municipalities; b. On the date of the certification of the results of the referendum, if such certification establishes that the consolidation recommended by the commission has not been approved by the voters of each of the participating municipalities; or, c. If the plan of consolidation is approved by the voters of the participating municipalities, on the one hundredth and eighty-first day following the date of consolidation, or on such date as the governing body of the consolidated municipality shall adopt permanent ordinances, rules and regulations for the consolidated municipality, whichever shall occur sooner, during which interval the commission shall serve as an advisory body to the governing body of the consolidated municipality. L.1977, c. 435, s. 23, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.58 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.58 - Recommendations in final report

40:43-66.58. Recommendations in final report  24. In its final report the consolidation commission may recommend:  a. That a referendum be held to submit to the registered voters of the participating municipalities the question of whether or not the participating municipalities shall be consolidated into a single new municipality pursuant to the plan of consolidation set forth in the report. In which case, the commission shall also recommend:  (1) The adoption of one of the plans or forms of government authorized under the "Optional Municipal Charter Law," the "commission form of government law," or the "municipal manager form of government law;" or,  (2) That the governing bodies of the participating municipalities shall petition the Legislature, pursuant to Article IV, Section VII, Paragraph 10, of the Constitution, for the enactment of the special charter set forth in the final report of the commission; or,  (3) That the plan or form of government of one of the participating municipalities be retained as the plan or form of government of the consolidated municipality.  b. That the participating municipalities not be consolidated into a single new municipality. In which case, the commission may, if it deems appropriate, make alternative findings and recommendations to the governing bodies of the participating municipalities, in lieu of political consolidation, concerning the consolidation or regionalization of separate municipal services and functions pursuant to any of the statutes of this State that authorize and permit joint action, consolidation or regionalization of municipal services and functions; provided, however, that in the case of a finding or recommendation concerning the consolidation or regionalization of law enforcement services and functions, the joint action, consolidation, or regionalization shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of the "Interlocal Services Act," P.L.1973, c.208 (C.40:8A-1 et al.) or the "Consolidated Municipal Service Act," P.L.1952, c.72 (C.40:48B-1 et seq.). Such alternative findings and recommendations may take either of the following forms:  (1) A recommendation for the consolidation or regionalization of specific functions and services, which may include a designation of which functions or services are to be consolidated or regionalized and a suggested schedule therefor; or,  (2) A recommended schedule for the staged regionalization or consolidation of the functions and services of the participating municipalities over some specific period of time leading to the reconsideration of the question of political consolidation at a later date.  L.1977,c.435,s.24; amended 1992,c.145,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.59 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.59 - Referendum

40:43-66.59. Referendum  If the commission recommends the submission of the question of consolidation to the voters, the municipal clerk of each participating municipality shall cause the question of consolidation to be submitted to the registered voters of each participating municipality on the date for the next general or municipal election, whichever shall occur sooner. At that election, the question shall be submitted in the same manner as other public questions in each such municipality, and in the following form or such part thereof as shall be applicable: "Shall (insert the names of the participating municipalities) be consolidated into a single municipality to be known as (insert name and type of municipality) and governed under (insert alternative a., b., c., d., or e. below, as may be appropriate)?" (a. the present plan or form of government of (insert name of appropriate municipality) and (if appropriate) providing for a division of the municipality into (insert number) wards, with (insert number) (insert title of members of governing body) to be elected from each ward and (insert number) to be elected at large); (b. a special charter to be enacted by the Legislature as recommended by the consolidation commission); (c. the (insert name of plan) of the "Optional Municipal Charter Law," providing for a division of the municipality into (insert number) wards, with (insert number) councilmen, (one to be elected from each ward and (insert number) to be elected at large)); (d. the commission form of government to be adopted pursuant to chapters 70 to 76 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes (R.S. 40:70-1 et seq.)); or, (e. the municipal manager form of government to be adopted pursuant to chapters 79 to 85 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes (R.S. 40:79-1 et seq.)). [ ] For Consolidation [ ] Against Consolidation L.1977, c. 435, s. 25, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.60 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.60 - Special charter; petition to legislature upon approval of plan by voters

40:43-66.60. Special charter; petition to legislature upon approval of plan by voters  If any consolidation plan approved by the voters shall involve a special charter for the consolidated municipality, the governing bodies of the participating municipality shall, forthwith upon the approval by the voters of such consolidation plan, petition the Legislature, pursuant to Article IV, Section VII, Paragraph 10, of the Constitution, for the special charter set forth in the Commission's report. Such special charter shall set forth the date of election of the first officers of the consolidated municipality, and the manner in which such charter shall be ratified in order for it to become operative. L.1977, c. 435, s. 26, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.61 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.61 - Prohibition on creation of joint municipal consolidation study commission while proceedings pending.

40:43-66.61 Prohibition on creation of joint municipal consolidation study commission while proceedings pending.  27. No ordinance or resolution may be adopted and no petition may be filed for the creation of a joint municipal consolidation study commission pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of this act while proceedings are pending under any other petition filed or ordinance adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Optional Municipal Charter Law" or any other general law relating to a change in the form of government in any of the participating municipalities. No ordinance or resolution may be adopted and no petition may be filed for the creation of such a commission pursuant to the provisions of this act within four years after the date on which the question of consolidation has been submitted to the voters pursuant to section 25 of this act; provided, however, that the adoption of an ordinance or resolution or the filing of a petition and the holding of any referendum thereafter under the provisions of the "Optional Municipal Charter Law" or other general law relating to a change in the form of government in any of the participating municipalities, if such proceedings have been completed, shall not preclude the participating municipalities from proceeding under the provisions of this act notwithstanding the fact that four years may not have expired since the completion of said proceedings. L.1977,c.435,s.27; amended 2001, c.342, s.7.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.62 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.62 - Vote necessary

40:43-66.62. Vote necessary  The question submitted pursuant to section 25 of this act shall be deemed approved and adopted only if a majority of those voting on the question in each of the participating municipalities votes in favor of the question. L.1977, c. 435, s. 28, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.63 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.63 - Consolidation of municipalities; election of officers; date of consolidation; ward boundaries; election district boundaries

40:43-66.63. Consolidation of municipalities; election of officers; date of consolidation; ward boundaries; election district boundaries  a. Following the adoption of the question of consolidation in each of the participating municipalities, the nomination and election of officers for the consolidated municipality shall be conducted in accordance with the plan or form of government adopted for the consolidated municipality, and the participating municipalities shall be deemed consolidated on the date on which such officers shall be authorized to take office under such plan or form of government; provided, however, that, if the commission shall have recommended submission to the Legislature of a special charter, the provision for the election of new officers and the date of consolidation shall be at such time following the approval of such special charter by the Legislature as shall be set forth in such charter. b. Ward boundaries for the consolidated municipality, if any shall be required by the charter or form of government adopted, shall be fixed and determined pursuant to the "Municipal Ward Law" (P.L.1981, c. 496; C. 40:44-9 et seq.) c. Within 45 days after the adoption of the question of consolidation, the county board of elections shall establish the election district boundaries for the consolidated municipality in the manner prescribed in Article 2 of chapter 4 of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes. d. For the purpose of conducting the nomination and election of officers for the consolidated municipality as provided in subsection a. of this section, the municipal clerks of the participating municipalities shall organize themselves as a committee. Such committee shall, as prescribed by law for the plan or form of government adopted for the consolidated municipality: furnish forms for, and receive, petitions of nomination for such officers; conduct the certification of such petitions; prepare, cause to be printed, and authenticate the ballot for the election of such officers; cause any notices for such election to be published; and receive and canvass the returns of such election. L.1977, c. 435, s. 29, eff. March 1, 1978. Amended by L.1981, c. 496, s. 16, eff. Jan. 12, 1982.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.64 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.64 - New corporate entity; adoption of ordinances by resolution; notice; publication; application of general laws of state

40:43-66.64. New corporate entity; adoption of ordinances by resolution; notice; publication; application of general laws of state  From and after the date of consolidation, as set forth in section 29 of this act, the participating municipalities shall constitute and be a single municipality under the name, type, plan or form of government set forth in the report and recommendations of the commission. The inhabitants of the territory, comprising the consolidated municipality shall thereafter be a body politic and corporate in fact and in law under such name. During the first 20 days following the date of consolidation, the governing body of the consolidated municipality may, by resolution, adopt any ordinances which were in effect in any of the participating municipalities, and make any provisions for officers and for the organization and administration of the consolidated municipality. Such resolutions shall not be subject to any publication requirements, or any referendum or initiative provisions, of any law of this State; provided, however, that subsequent to the adoption thereof the governing body shall cause notice of such adoption to be published in the manner provided by law for municipal ordinances. All such resolutions shall expire not later than 180 days after the date of consolidation. The general laws of the State applying to municipalities of such type, plan or form of government and class, if any, shall apply to the consolidated municipality created pursuant to this act. L.1977, c. 435, s. 30, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.65 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.65 - Succession in government

40:43-66.65. Succession in government  From and after the date of consolidation, the consolidated municipality or new school district, if any, shall be vested with and subject to the assets, contracts, debts and other obligations of the participating municipalities, or constituent school districts, as the case may be, to the extent set forth in the recommendations contained in the final report of the joint municipal consolidation study commission. The consolidated municipality, or such new school district, as the case may be, shall have the power to complete any work, service or improvement, and to confirm and collect previously levied taxes and assessments of the participating municipalities or constituent school districts, as may be appropriate, which are incomplete, unconfirmed, or uncollected on the date of consolidation. The consolidated municipality or new school district shall carry out those provisions of the plan of consolidation approved by the voters of the participating municipalities which are not inconsistent with this act or other laws of this State. L.1977, c. 435, s. 31, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.66 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.66 - Cooperation of officers and employees of participating municipalities

40:43-66.66. Cooperation of officers and employees of participating municipalities  All officers and employees of the participating municipalities are authorized and directed to cooperate fully with any officers elected to govern the consolidated municipality, who have not yet taken office, in order to insure an orderly transition of government. L.1977, c. 435, s. 32, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.67 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.67 - Transfer of funds and property; tax levy for property subject to separate taxation

40:43-66.67. Transfer of funds and property; tax levy for property subject to separate taxation  Immediately upon the installation of the government of the consolidated municipality, the officers having custody of the funds of the participating municipalities shall deliver all funds in their possession into the custody of the proper fiscal officer of the consolidated municipality, who shall acknowledge delivery by giving his receipt therefor. The mayor or other chief executive officer of the consolidated municipality shall supervise and direct the transfer of all personal property, books, papers, vouchers, or other documents belonging to the participating municipalities, to the proper officers of the new government. He shall cause a complete inventory to be made of all assets, real and personal, received by the new government. The department shall cause an audit and settlement of officer's accounts to be made forthwith. The official bonds of the officers and officials shall continue in force and effect until the audit and settlement have been completed. Whenever a plan of consolidation provides that property within a participating municipality or school district therein, shall remain subject to separate taxation, after consolidation, for the payment of interest and principal on any preexisting indebtedness, such property shall be taxed and assessed therefor at the same time and in the same manner as provided by law for general taxation of real property for the support of the municipality or school district, as the case may be. L.1977, c. 435, s. 33, eff. March 1, 1978.
NJ Rev Stat § 40:43-66.68 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 40 - Municipalities and Counties|Section 40:43-66.68 - Officers and appointees of governing body of participating municipalities; termination of office

40:43-66.68. Officers and appointees of governing body of participating municipalities; termination of office  The terms of office and appointments of all local officers and employees elected or appointed by, in, or for the participating municipalities shall, except as otherwise provided in this act, cease and terminate on the date of consolidation. The terms of office of any members appointed by the governing body of any participating municipality to any special district or public authority shall cease and terminate on the date of consolidation. L.1977, c. 435, s. 34, eff. March 1, 1978.