Nutley commission sets recording guidelines called “overreaching”

On 9/15, Nutley’s governing body adopted video recording guidelines meant for all township boards. We haven’t seen the new resolution yet, but the below article lists some criteria that look similar to prior provisions. The article also notes that a North Jersey Media Group attorney advised the township prior to the vote “that North Jersey Read More …

Roselle Park MLUB To Eliminate Public Comment Portion

The Roselle Park Municipal Land Use Board announced on July 20 that it will be doing away with the public comment portion of its meetings starting in September.  The move takes away the public’s ability to speak on land use topics outside of those for which a hearing is held.   -NJFOG The Roselle Park News Read More …

Gloucester Township Council suppressed citizen’s speech, apparently based on its content.

In this excellent blog post, John Paff describes how the Gloucester Township Council cut off a speaker from talking during public comment and then immediately closed the public comment period, which almost certainly violated that person’s First Amendment right to address the Council as well as the rights of anyone who was still waiting to Read More …

Court requires Spring Lake Heights to keep better meeting minutes and release them sooner

(credit:  Walter Luers) We wanted to share with you the successful results of an Open Public Meetings Act lawsuit that was filed by a person in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey.  The name of the lawsuit is Crippen v. Spring Lake Heights Borough Council, and the docket number is MON-L-3347-14. (In case you’re not familiar Read More …

Judge: Island Heights school board violated law

The following is press coverage of NJFOG’s Island Heights case.  NJFOG treasurer John Paff is quoted.  -NJFOG Asbury Park Press September 2, 2014 by Kathleen Hopkins (full article here and re-posted below) ISLAND HEIGHTS – The Island Heights Board of Education broke the law last year by holding meetings behind closed doors on 24 topics Read More …