The December 2020 issue is available now

Focus: Healthy Towns

December 2020 NJ Municipalities magazine cover

Helping NJ Seniors through Turbulent Times

What Municipalities can do

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our ability to survive and thrive on multiple levels: throughout our nation, around our state, and within our municipalities. Public safety practices, healthcare disparities, transportation troubles, food insecurities, and the future of local businesses have all been impacted by this insidious virus. Our elected and government officials have had to model resiliency, thinking on their feet in response to ever-shifting virus protocols and their impact on the communities they serve.

From the moment that the coronavirus infiltrated our nation and our news media, one population in particular received negative attention: older adults. We repeatedly heard references that the virus “only impacts old people” or “only the elderly die from COVID-19.” Sadly, these remarks reinforce ageism that runs rampant in our society, branding the older generation as disposable entities. Also, sadly, over time, the virus has had an impact on individuals of all ages.

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Featured Article

Partnering with Communities

Keeping children and families safe, healthy, and connected during COVID-19

At the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, we have a vision for New Jersey–that all residents, children, youth, and families can and should be safe, healthy, and connected.

But with the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency, our Department’s vision is being tested like no other time in our State’s history. Cut off from support. Families that may have been struggling before the onset of the pandemic in New Jersey are being pushed to the breaking point as they negotiate job and wage losses, health care concerns, a lack of social and recreational outlets, a lack of adequate and affordable child care, remote learning, and so much more.

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In this Issue

Legal Q&A

Each month the League's Associate General Counsel Frank Marshall, Esq. answers your questions about emerging and ongoing topics effecting local government in New Jersey.

Q: Our municipality is experiencing a surge in development and with this comes increased applications to the planning and zoning boards. Many members of the public feel that they are not adequately represented during the application process and hearings of these boards. We have heard of other municipalities creating the role of a public advocate to represent the interests of the public at large before these boards. Is this permissible and if so how should we go about creating this position?

A: Although there is no explicit statutory authority for the creation of the role of “public advocate,” many municipalities have created such a position, with the goal of providing an advocate to represent the interests of the public at large in land use matters. The authority of municipalities to create the position has been consistently upheld by the courts.

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About NJ Municipalities

NJ Municipalities serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on municipal affairs, new initiatives and changing legislation for public officials in New Jersey. This magazine has been a news source for local government organizations for over 100 years, and is available in print and digital format. Published monthly, with the exception of July, August and September.

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