COVID–19 Alert: New Jersey Alters Public Meeting Procedures During the Pandemic

While many New Jersey Municipal Buildings are currently closed to the general public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, filings of applications and permits are being accepted, although processing is dependent upon staff availability. Many municipalities are permitting employees to work remotely or are alternating employee’s in office work schedules. Government essential service employees are still working but with revised schedules as needed to protect all employees. However, some municipalities, on a case by case basis, are permitting appointments by the public.

New Jersey Governor Murphy has signed into law emergency Assembly Bill 3850 to permit public bodies (including commissions, authorities, boards, councils, committees, or other groups of 2 or more persons organized under the law of New Jersey and collectively empowered as a voting body to perform governmental functions) to conduct public meetings, and conduct public business (including discussion, vote, receive communication, open meetings to  the public  for questions and receive public comment) via electronic means during  periods of emergency.

Many municipalities have now commenced conducting public meetings via electronic means. Announcements of such meetings are being posted on each Municipality’s web site as well as instructions as to how the public can connect to the meeting and participate.