2842-24 Ordinance Revising Rules of Council Limiting Public Comment as Fixed by Township Council.pdf

2842-24 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3, SECTIONS 8 AND 15 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE (Rules of Council – Order of Business) BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY that Chapter 3 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of West Orange be and are hereby amended as follows: I. PURPOSE The purpose of this ordinance is to revise the municipal code provision governing rules of the Township Council for the Township of West Orange. Specifically, this ordinance provides that public comment shall be fixed by Resolution of the Township Council. II. CHAPTER 3, SECTIONS 8(b), 15.1 AND 15.2 SHALL BE AND ARE HEREBY AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED TO INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING: Time Limits The Time Limit for each individual speaking at public comment shall be fixed by Resolution of the Township Council. III. REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES Any Ordinances of the Township which are in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. IV. SEVERABILITY If any part of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid, such parts shall be severed and the invalidity thereof shall not affect the remaining parts of this Ordinance.

2 V. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with the law. SUSAN MCCARTNEY, MAYOR BILL RUTHERFORD, COUNCIL PRESIDENT KAREN J. CARNEVALE, R.M.C. MUNICIPAL CLERK INTRODUCED: February 27, 2024 ADOPTED: March 12, 2024

3 2842-24 Legislative History The purpose of this ordinance is to revise the municipal code provision governing rules of the Township Council for the Township of West Orange. Specifically, this ordinance provides that the Township Council shall fix public comment pursuant to Resolution. This applies during public comment concerning any ordinance, resolution or other Township business. This specifically revises Section 3-8(b) which previously limited public comment to five (5) minutes; Section 3-15.1 which referred to public comment concerning ordinances and previously limited public comment to five (5) minutes; and Section 3-15.2 which also referred to public comment being limited to five (5) minutes. Most other governmental bodies limit comments so that the business of addressing Township business is heard in a timely manner. Nothing in this restriction limits an individual’s right to submit written positions regarding any proposed action or issue pending before the Township. All such submissions are circulated in a timely manner and considered.