Local Government

Question 1

There are ______ Municipalities in New Jersey?

Answer 1

565

Question 2

There are _____ Counties in New Jersey?

Answer 2

21

Question 3

Which form of government was established by the “Walsh Act”?

Answer 3

The Commission Form

Question 4

What are some of the powers of a Municipality?

Answer 4

Organize and regulate Internal Affairs
Adopt and enforce ordinances and impose penalties
Sue and be sued, contract and be contracted, adopt, amend and repeal ordinances and resolutions
Exercise powers of taxation , borrowing and condemnation

Question 5

Is a municipality a corporation?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

How do you change your form of government?

Answer 6

Conduct a Charter Study, create a Charter Study Commission. Commissioners are elected by the general public

Question 7

Name some of the duties of a Charter Study Commission

Answer 7

Study current form of government
Compare with available forms of government
Ask could the current form be strengthened
Determine if a changed form of government would be more efficient or economical

Question 8

How many classes of Counties are there in New Jersey?

Answer 8

Six

Question 9

Are there different forms of County government?

Answer 9

Yes, there 5 others options

Question 10

Name some of the forms of County Government

Answer 10

Traditional, Optional County Charter Law, County Manager Plan, County Supervisor Plan, Board President Plan

Question 11

What is the elected term of a Board of Chosen Freeholder?

Answer 11

3 yrs.

Question 12

What does “NJSA” stand for

Answer 12

New Jersey Statutes Annotated

Question 13

What is the Estoppel Period in an ordinance?

Answer 13

The period of time (20 days) to go to court to stop payment. Heard by the Superior Court

Question 14

Resolutions can be approved on one reading with the following exceptions.

Answer 14

Salary Resolutions now require public comment or hearing.

Budget Resolutions

Question 15

What does the Open Public Meetings require?

Answer 15

The public and the press have advance notice of and the opportunity to attend most meetings

Question 16

What is the annual notice?

Answer 16

The list of public meetings provided once a year 7 days following the reorganization meeting

Question 17

Special Meetings require?

Answer 17

48 hrs notice and notice mailed and faxed to two newspapers and posted in the Municipal Building

Question 18

How does the governing body go into Executive or Closed Session

Answer 18

The public body must adopt a resolution in the open meeting and read the adequate notice statement

Question 19

What are some of the permitted topics for an executive session?

Answer 19

Federal, State law or rule of court requirements
Information that would impair funding the U.S.
Information that would constitute an invasion of privacy
Collective bargaining negotiations
Purchase, lease or acquisition of real property
Tactics and techniques for protection
Pending litigation
Employment, appointment, termination
Deliberations that may result in civil penalties

Question 20

Rice Notice provides?

Answer 20

All personnel matters may be discussed in closed session, unless the individual employees or appointees whose rights could be adversely affected request in writing that such matters be discussed in public session

Question 21

What is required to hold an official meeting?

Answer 21

A Quorum

Question 22

What is a Quorum

Answer 22

The number representing the majority of members when duly assembled is legally competent to conduct business

Question 23

Give some examples of Agenda items

Answer 23

Pledge of Allegiance
Statement of the Open Public Meetings Act
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
Presentation of communications
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Payment of Bills
Resolutions - Ordinance

Question 24

All meetings must be?

Answer 24

Open to the public and can have a time limit

Question 25

Are minutes required?

Answer 25

Yes, all public bodies must keep reasonable comprehensible minutes of all its meetings.

Question 26

What is “OPRA”?

Answer 26

The Open Public Records Act.

Question 27

What records must be made available under OPRA?

Answer 27

All records unless exempted by law. They must be available for inspection, copying or examination.

Question 28

What are some “OPRA” exemptions?

Answer 28

Legislative Records
Medical examiner records
Criminal investigations
Victims records
Trade secrets
Attorney-Client privilege
Computer security
Building security
Advantage to bidders
Court orders
Personal identifying information

Question 29

What is the DARM?

Answer 29

The Division of Archives and Records Management

Question 30

What does the Destruction of Records Act do?

Answer 30

Defines a public record
Prohibits destruction without consent
Created the State Records Committee
  Other Main Terms
     Records retention Schedule
     Record Series Titles
     Retention Periods

Question 31

What does the New Jersey Tort Claims Act establish?

Answer 31

Provides protected immunity to public agencies, even if such injury arises out of an act or omission of the public entity
Establishes a procedure and time constraints
Defines parameters of liability

Question 32

What are the time constraints for filing a claim?

Answer 32

Claims shall be presented not later than the 90th day after the accrual of the cause of action.
After 6mos from the date of notice of the claim is received, the claimant may file suit in the appropriate court of law.

Question 33

Can a government official or public employee accept a gift?

Answer 33

No local government officer or employee or member of his immediate family may accept any gift, favor, ETC.