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Council extends acting municipal clerk—05/31/2026 after months of debate over DCA approval
Summary
The Paterson City Council voted 7-2 to reappoint Jacqueline Murray as acting municipal clerk and amend the resolution to extend her appointment through May 31, 2026. Council and corporation counsel repeatedly referenced state law requiring Division of Local Government Services (DCA) consent for extensions beyond statutorily allowed terms.
Paterson City Council members voted 7-2 late Tuesday to reappoint Jacqueline Murray as acting municipal clerk and to amend the resolution on the floor to extend her appointment through May 31, 2026.
The council's action began as a routine reappointment under a resolution that cited state statute governing temporary appointments for municipal clerks. During more than two hours of debate, several council members asked whether the Division of Local Government Services in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) must approve any extension beyond the dates already authorized. Corporation Counsel told the council that state law requires DCA approval for appointments past the one-year temporary term and for more than two subsequent one-year extensions.
Coun…
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