September 2, 2022

2022 Annual League Conference

The 2022 League Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center November 15-17 is a must-attend event that provides educational and networking opportunities at a cost-conscious registration rate. The earlier you register, the better pricing you get and the more likely you are to get the hotel space and event tickets you want. Start your planning today! For more information on conference registration, League event tickets, and hotel registration please see our recent Conference Connections.

State Issues

NJDEP Public Comment Period and Virtual Hearing for Draft Tier A Permit Renewal

As we have previously reported, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has undertaken the renewal of the Tier A permit under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program. Part of the renewal process for the draft includes a public comment period, which ends on September 20.

For those interested, written comments may be submitted to the NJDEP via email to stormwatermanager@dep.nj.gov. In addition, the NJDEP will be hosting a virtual public hearing to solicit public comment on September 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and re-open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to accommodate additional individuals if the attendance limitation for the 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session is exceeded. A link to register or attend this hearing has not been provided by the NJDEP, but those interested in attending or providing comment are encouraged to contact NJDEP via email at stormwatermanager@dep.nj.gov.

If your municipality submits comments to Advisory Council, please forward a copy to Frank Marshall, Esq., League Associate General Counsel, at FMarshall@njlm.org.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

ABC Special Ruling on Delivery of Alcoholic Beverages in New Jersey

The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced a special ruling that would allow for third-party delivery services of alcoholic beverages to customers. Please see our blog post for an in-depth review of the special ruling.

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

DCA Announces Lead Law Implementation Webinar for Interested Stakeholders

On September 16, at 2:00 p.m., the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is hosting a lead-based paint inspection webinar. P.L. 2021, C.182 imposes an obligation on municipalities to perform or hire a certified lead evaluation contractor to perform inspections of certain single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwellings for lead-based paint hazards every three years or upon tenant turnover. The webinar will cover DCA’s implementation of the law thus far, and an update from the Division of Housing and Resources on remediation program implementation to address lead-based paint hazards. For more information please see the DCA’s flyer.

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Governor Establishes Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council and Online Portal

Governor Murphy this week signed Executive Order 305 establishing an Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council, and creating an online portal that will enable members of the public to provide recommendations for the expenditure of proceeds from national opioid litigation resolutions. Comments are being accepted now until October 31.

The purpose of the Advisory Council is to review proposals, data, and analyses and engage stakeholders and community members to develop and provide recommendations on the allocation and distribution of the state’s share of proceeds from the national opioid litigation resolutions.

The Advisory Council will be chaired by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner and will consist of the Commissioner of the Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, and the Attorney General, as well as 10 members of the public to be appointed by the Governor.

Executive Order 305 also designates the DHS as the lead agency for purposes of directing disbursements of the State’s proceeds from the national opioid litigation resolution, and for monitoring the use of money disbursed to counties and municipalities.

If your municipality submits comments to Advisory Council, please forward a copy to Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, at ppenna@njlm.org.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Federal Issues

USDA Grant Money Available for Biofuel-Related Infrastructure Upgrades

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $100 million in grants with the goal of helping to increase the sale and use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The program will market higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by sharing the costs to build and retrofit biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks. Municipal and county governments, along with certain non-profits and businesses, are eligible to receive grant money.

Grants will cover up to 50% of total eligible project costs, but not more than $5 million, to help convert transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The higher-blend fuels must be greater than 10% for ethanol and greater than 5% for biodiesel.

Grant applications must be submitted by 4:40 p.m., November 21. More information on the grant and eligibility requirements can be found on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program webpage, or at Grants.gov.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

REMINDER – LIHWAP Application Process Open

As we have previously shared, the Department of Community Affairs’ Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) application process is open. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-funded program will provide benefits directly to water and wastewater companies on behalf of residential customers. The assistance can be used, in order of priority, to:

Restore services where services have been terminated and pay reconnection fees and other charges accrued due to a disconnection,
Avoid service disruption for those residential customers who are in danger of disconnection (e.g., received shut off notices or have past due balances) and to help them afford bill payment going forward; and
Support those household customers who are current in their bills but might be in danger of falling behind in the near future.

Priority will also be given to families with elderly or disabled household members and/or with children under the age of five, no matter which category they fall into.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. We encourage you to share this information with your residents and community social service providers in your municipality.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Also of Interest

Applications for the Innovation in Governance Program Sought

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities will again acknowledge and promote Innovation in Governance through our annual recognition program. This is a great opportunity to showcase innovative solutions to any problems that have cropped up – either suddenly or over time – in your municipality. It can also be an opportunity to let your peers in on innovations that prevented problems from even arising. This year the Innovation in Governance Awards Committee is looking for any new and distinctive approaches in any department of municipal government.

The deadline is Friday, October 7, 2022.

Visit our awards page to see previous years’ ideas created by winning municipalities as well as the full invitation and application to this year’s program.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

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