Happy New Year to All:
We have received news that the Governor has signed both the public notice bill and the moving of the 2025 Primary Election bill earlier this afternoon. Below is the notice that was just sent out by NJLM.
We wish you all a 2025 filled with good health and good luck to all of you at your reorganization meetings.
~MCANJ Executive Board
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Good morning,
The NJ Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission has asked MCANJ to advise their members that the registration certificates they issue are switching from green to blue.
Have a great day!
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
Reminder!!!
Registration is now live for the Legal Defense Fund Seminar to be held January 22, 2025 in Woodbridge. Only LDF members are eligible to attend the seminar. Attached is the seminar program, which is offering 4 CEUS.
Click here to register!<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.njclerks.org%2fcn%2…>
You must log in with your Member ID and password in order to register.
Thank you!
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
Reminder!!!
Registration is now live for the Legal Defense Fund Seminar to be held January 22, 2025 in Woodbridge. Only LDF members are eligible to attend the seminar. Attached is the seminar program, which is offering 4 CEUS.
Click here to register!<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.njclerks.org%2fcn%2…>
You must log in with your Member ID and password in order to register.
Thank you!
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
Dear MCANJ Members:
Earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee amended and advanced legislation (S-3957<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>/A-5151<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>) to address publication of public notices in light of the recent Star Ledger announcement of an all-digital newspaper starting in February 2025.
S-3957/A-5151 would allow any newspaper used by a public body as the official newspaper from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, to still meet the definition of a newspaper under the law regardless of physical or digital format of the newspaper’s publication from January 1, 2025, to March 1, 2025.
The amendments clarified that this temporary fix would apply for all public notices including but not limited to meeting notices, solicitation of bids, and publication of ordinances; the newspaper’s publication could be in print or electronic format; the fee for publishing public notices cannot exceed the existing statutory rates; and if electronic, the newspapers cannot charge a fee or require registration to view the public or legal advertisements.
On Thursday, both the Assembly and Senate passed S-3957/A-5151. The vote was 49-20 in the Assembly and 36-0 in the Senate. The bill now awaits consideration by Governor Murphy.
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ALSO: Both the Assembly and Senate unanimously passed A-5152/S-3965<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>, which moves the June 2025 Primary Election date from June 3rd to June 10th due to the observance of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
In addition to rescheduling the June 2025 primary election date to June 10, 2025, the bill also requires the Secretary of State to make all necessary adjustments to all deadlines required to be met ahead of the Primary Election and publish a calendar with the adjusted dates with the exception for the deadline for nominating petitions, drawing for ballot position, and mail-in ballot mailing deadlines. The Secretary of State will also be required to provide all county clerks, county boards of elections, superintendents of elections, municipal clerks, and members of the public with notice of the change.
It is anticipated that the Governor will sign the legislation.
Once the Executive Board has been updated on both bills, we will let you know-
Thanks!
Michele
Michele L. Bobrowski, RMC, CMC, MMC, Athenian Fellow
Past President
MCANJ
Hello again 😉
For those wanting to get a jump on booking your hotel stay at the Hard Rock for the 2025 Conference, the rough Conference schedule is as follows:
*
Full day on Tuesday, April 8th (we will be selling merchandise and the President's Reception will be in the evening)
*
Full day on Wednesday, April 9th (exhibitors will be present, Annual Meeting, Exhibitor Reception, Tricky Tray, Awards)
*
Half-day on Thursday, April 10th ( raffles and business card drawing-winners must be present)
* Rutgers has created a website to house all Municipal Clerks' Conference information. You can reach the Clerks' Conference Website<https://cgs.rutgers.edu/municipal-clerks-continuing-education-conference> through this link or by inserting this web address into your browser - https://cgs.rutgers.edu/municipal-clerks-continuing-education-conference.
*
Currently Available: Hard Rock Overnights
Reserve your overnights at the Hard Rock. Hotel reservation information and group codes are online. For attendees booking their overnights with a purchase order, please note that the Hard Rock must receive the check by March 4th.
Thanks-
Michele
Michele L. Bobrowski, RMC, CMC, MMC, Athenian Fellow
Past President
MCANJ
Good afternoon fellow Municipal Clerks!!!
I wanted to reach out to you on behalf of the Executive Board regarding the upcoming MCANJ Annual Conference. The Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey (MCANJ) is excited to announce its collaboration with Rutgers University's Center for Government Services to present the 2025 Municipal Clerks' Continuing Education Conference on April 8 - 10, 2025 at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City. This collaboration was announced at last year’s conference during the Annual Meeting and subsequently in the Quill following . The collaboration in part is to bring a more diverse educational opportunity/experience to our members and to provide more IIMC credits to our members who are moving forward with broadening their horizons with a Certified or Master Municipal Clerk Certification through IIMC. MCANJ members earn more credits through a University than with the MCANJ organization alone when submitted. Our contract with Rutgers is for three years. If things work out we can renew the contract for an additional three years. The contract with Rutgers was finalized in October of this year and planning for the 2025 Conference began shortly thereafter. Both MCANJ and Rutgers will work together on conference budgets, education sessions, venues, etc. This is a joint collaboration and nothing but in the best interest of the Municipal Clerks and the Association.
* The 2025 Conference will be held at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City from April 8-10, 2025. It will be a 2 ½ day conference with CEUs available in all DCA categories and CMC/MMC points.
* The conference agenda will be available and registration will open in January 2025!
* Rutgers has created a website to house all Municipal Clerks' Conference information. You can reach the Clerks' Conference Website<https://cgs.rutgers.edu/municipal-clerks-continuing-education-conference> through this link or by inserting this web address into your browser - https://cgs.rutgers.edu/municipal-clerks-continuing-education-conference.
*
Currently Available: Hard Rock Overnights
Reserve your overnights at the Hard Rock. Hotel reservation information and group codes are online. For attendees booking their overnights with a purchase order, please note that the Hard Rock must receive the check by March 4th.
* For overnight planning purposes, breakfast and educational sessions begin around 7:30/8:00am each day.
I hope you find the above information helpful and we look forward to working with Rutgers on this conference and future conferences! Hope to see you there!!!
Wishing you and your family a very healthy and fun filled holiday season!!
Michele
Michele L. Bobrowski, RMC, CMC, MMC, Athenian Fellow
Past President
MCANJ
The June 2025 Primary Election Date is possibly going to move from June 3 to June 10 due to the observance of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Today, December 16th Senate State Government is considering S-3965, which reschedules the June 2025 primary election date. At this time there is no Assembly companion bill, but NJLM anticipates seeing one shortly. Both the Senate and Assembly have a voting session scheduled for Thursday, December 19th.
Statement from Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari & Speaker Coughlin:
Office Of The Governor
JOINT STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY, SENATE PRESIDENT SCUTARI,
AND SPEAKER COUGHLIN
"The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and everyone deserves the freedom to have their voice heard at the ballot box. We have an obligation to encourage participation and ensure everyone can participate in and trust our electoral system. We cannot allow deeply held and legitimate religious beliefs to become a barrier to voting. We support moving the 2025 primary to June 10 and will work together to accomplish that goal."
Once the MCANJ Executive Board is made aware of the vote from this bill we will forward the final results to our membership. We wanted you to be aware of this proposed date change for planning purposes.
Michele
Michele L. Bobrowski, RMC, CMC, MMC, Athenian Fellow
Past President
MCANJ
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Happy Monday to all-
We know many are working on their Re-Org agendas at this time and wanted to let you know that the MCANJ Executive Board has been made aware of the following updates occurring this week which will hopefully bring resolution (if not temporary) to what we are to do regarding publishing legal ads for our offices:
Senator Sarlo and Senate President Scutari have introduced S-3957, which allows public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified dates regardless of format. The bill is before the Senate Judiciary on Monday, December 16th and there is a Senate voting session on Thursday, December 19th. The Assembly companion bill was added to the Assembly Appropriation Committee agenda for today, Monday, December 16th.
S-3957 would allow any newspaper used by a public body as the official newspaper from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 to still meet the definition of a newspaper under the law regardless of physical or digital format of the newspaper’s publication from January 1, 2025 to March 1, 2025.
Link to S-3957 - https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S4000/3957_I1.PDF<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>
The NJLM anticipates that both bills will be before the full Senate and Assembly on Thursday, December 19th.
Stay tuned………………………..
Michele
Michele L. Bobrowski, RMC, CMC, MMC, Athenian Fellow
Past President
MCANJ
Dear Association,
As we enter 2025, the new Affordable Housing requirements will begin for our Municipalities and us as Municipal Clerks with the 1st Resolution being required for approval by January 31st on the matter. Many of you are aware that there is proposed legislation out there that could impact Round 4 housing numbers and could alter the timelines of resolutions and ordinances being adopted in 2025 if the new legislation is adopted. Last year, the Executive Board was sent a ton of resolutions from Municipal Clerks as their Municipalities adopted them regarding affordable housing and the impact of the new regulations. The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) has asked that we share the attached proposed legislation with you along with a draft resolution (in word) if your Municipality wishes to consider it prior to the new year. Many Municipalities have already begun to adopt this resolution, some Municipalities are looking for draft language of a resolution with similar language so we are sharing the attached with you as requested by the NJILGA.
Please see below:
The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) supports the attached legislation supporting a calculation of fair share obligations for Round 4 that is rooted in reality. (See First Attachment). In stark contrast, the formula in the present version of the Fair Housing Act calls for obligations that, in the opinion of many municipalities, are divorced from the reality of what can reasonably be expected of municipalities. Also attached is a chart comparing the obligations the Department of Community Affairs reported to each municipality on October 18, 2024 to the obligations that would result if the Legislature adopts the Proposed Legislation. (See Second Attachment). Everyone is encouraged to locate his or her town in the chart so he or she can see what the DCA is reporting the municipality’s obligation should be to what it would be if the Legislature adopts the Proposed Legislation. Finally, for any municipality that may wish to adopt a resolution to support the Legislation, attached is a draft resolution that can be easily tailored to the municipality and adopted. (See Third Attachment).
If your Attorney, Mayor, Council, Committee, etc. have any questions, Atty. Surenian would be happy to answer them. (his contact information can be found below).
Jeffrey R. Surenian, Esq.
Surenian, Edwards, Buzak & Nolan LLC
Main: 311 Broadway, Suite A|Point Pleasant Beach| NJ 08742
Montville: 150 River Road, Suite N-4 |Montville|NJ 07045
Tele: 732-612-3100 | Fax: 732-612-3101| JRS(a)Surenian.com<mailto:JRS@Surenian.com> |www.Surenian.com<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.Surenian.com&c=E,1,…>
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
