The limits of municipal power and authority were tested in the Supreme Court this term. From a municipality’s ability to preserve open space and trees to their ability to control trash collection and rats (albeit inflatable ones), the Supreme Court analyzed the source of municipal power to address a variety of topics.
In addition, the Court decided two local public contract law cases, one of which involved the first Supreme Court foray into the numerous “Pay to Play” legislative enactments over the last few years. The Court decided two Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) cases. In the land use field, in addition to dealing with open space and tree preservation, the Court avoided addressing the constitutionality of the Highlands Act, but did address the level of proofs needed for a municipality to enact an ordinance that is inconsistent with its master plan.
