Springfield Planning Board Grapples with Local Newspaper Closures, Appoints Key Positions

In the latest Springfield Planning Board meeting, members addressed the challenge of local newspaper closures impacting public notice requirements, appointed key board positions, and reviewed subcommittee arrangements. The board expressed concern over the ceasing production of the Star Ledger, a primary newspaper for public notices, and discussed alternatives to meet legal obligations.

During the meeting, board members noted that the closure of the Star Ledger poses a challenge for ensuring timely public notices, particularly for emergency meetings. They discussed utilizing the Local Source as a primary publication with the Star Ledger as a backup until it ceases production. The board acknowledged the need to explore additional options, such as the New York Times, for future notices. The board attorney was tasked with investigating how other boards are handling similar issues to ensure compliance with public notice laws.

In addition to addressing the newspaper issue, the board completed its annual reorganization by appointing individuals to key positions. Jeff Tiger was elected as chair, while Sharon Kessell was appointed as vice chair. Mike Disko retained his role as board engineer, and a new board attorney was appointed following a review of several applicants. The board also confirmed Jennifer Amend as board secretary and Mike Disko as assistant board secretary.

Subcommittee roles were confirmed, with a focus on continuing work on the master plan and ordinance review. The master plan subcommittee, consisting of Alex Keiser and another member, will coordinate with the zoning board and other township officials. An ordinance review subcommittee was also established, with Zoom meetings planned to accommodate members’ schedules.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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