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Mountainside urges state lawmakers to allow publication of legal notices on government websites
Summary
By unanimous vote the council adopted Resolution 47-2025 urging New Jersey leaders to authorize municipalities to publish required legal notices on official government websites instead of relying on paid newspaper publication; the resolution directs copies be sent to state leaders and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
At its March 18 meeting the Borough of Mountainside adopted Resolution 47-2025 urging state legislators and the governor to pass legislation authorizing municipalities and other local governments to publish legal notices on official government websites. The resolution cites the sunset of a 2024 temporary provision (P.L. 2024 c.106) and argues local governments should not be required to subsidize newspaper publication costs when the media landscape has become increasingly digital.
Councilman Matejek introduced the resolution and Councilman Rinaldo seconded; council members Dierkes, Matejek, Pacifico, Rinaldo, Van Deusen and Wass voted aye. The resolution directs the clerk to forward copies to Governor Phil Murphy, legislative leaders including Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, local legislative representatives, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Why it matters: if enacted, the change would alter how municipalities comply with statutory notice requirements, potentially saving staff time and taxpayer money and changing how the public locates and accesses official notices. The minutes reference local concerns about the cost burden on municipal governments and the digitization of news outlets.
Next steps: the council has transmitted the resolution to state officials as recorded in the minutes; any change requires state legislative action.
