CASE SUMMARY: NJFOG v. Little Egg Harbor Fire District #3

 

Case Name:  NJFOG v. Little Egg Harbor Fire District #3
Docket Number: OCN-L-714-16
County / Vicinage:  Ocean
Filing Date:  February 23, 2016
Presiding Judge:  Lynch Ford, Marlene
Status:  closed

 

Overview:

The complaint alleges violations of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). After filing the lawsuit, NJFOG discovered various Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) violations by the Board of Fire Commissioners and was successful in obtaining a consent order on May 31, 2016 that requires the Board to follow provisions of the Meetings Act.

The consent order requires the Board to pass a resolution that describes each topic that will be privately discussed in closed session and to announce those descriptions to the public, including stating the specific litigation, contract and personnel matters to be discussed. The Board is also required to keep reasonably comprehensible closed session minutes that shall include the beginning time, ending time, members present and location of each meeting.

This case is the first time NJFOG has filed an OPRA-only complaint and obtained a court order that addresses both OPRA and OPMA compliance. The consent order provides a route for citizens to seek enforcement of the law if there is future non-compliance by the District with the terms of the order.

 

Case Documents:

Complaint, Brief, and Order to Show Cause
https://njfog.org/files/2016/04/2016-02-23-NJFOG-v.-Little-Egg-Harbor-FD3-Complaint.pdf

Consent Order
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B62zIy-MpCRodFJ4RmI2RUdsX2c/view?usp=sharing

 

Press Release(s):

Little Egg Harbor Fire Co. agrees to adhere to Meetings Act
https://njfog.org/2016/06/11/little-egg-harbor-fire-co-agrees-adhere-meetings-act/

 

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