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North Haledon council abolishes municipal ethics board, cedes oversight to state Local Finance Board
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Summary
The Borough of North Haledon adopted Ordinance #15-2022 on second and final reading to rescind Chapter 40 (§§1–10) eliminating the municipal ethics board and placing jurisdiction over local government ethics matters with the Local Finance Board (Division of Local Government Services, DCA); the measure passed by roll call with all members present voting in favor.
The Borough of North Haledon Council voted on July 20, 2022, to abolish the municipal ethics board and transfer oversight of local-government ethics matters to the state Local Finance Board.
Ordinance #15-2022, introduced and read by title at the meeting, rescinds Chapter 40, §§1–10 of the borough code. The ordinance cites N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.19 and N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.4 in explaining that, in the absence of a municipal ethics board, the Local Finance Board in the Division of Local Government Services (Department of Community Affairs) will have jurisdiction over alleged violations of the Local Government Ethics Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.).
Council Member George Pomianek moved that the ordinance be adopted on second and final reading; Council Member Bruce O. Iacobelli seconded. The clerk was authorized to publish notice of adoption. The motion carried on roll call with Mayor Randy George and Council Members Jacqueline Roscio, George Pomianek, Donna Puglisi, Bruce O. Iacobelli and Vince Parmese voting yes; Council Member Rocco Luisi was recorded as absent.
The ordinance states that all other provisions of the borough code not amended remain in effect and that the change takes effect immediately upon final adoption and publication as required by law.
Because the measure delegates disciplinary and investigatory jurisdiction to the state Local Finance Board, it shifts the practical locus for handling allegations under the Local Government Ethics Law away from a borough-level body to the Division of Local Government Services.