OPRA/OPMA court order issued in Sussex County

On March 16, 2009, Assignment Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis issued an Order in the case of Jesse Wolosky v. Township of Vernon, Sussex County, Docket No. L-079-09. Out of four issues presented, the plaintiff won two issues, lost one issue, and is mediating the remaining issue. The plaintiff was also ruled to be the prevailing party and shall recover at least some of his attorney fees and court costs from the Township. The order is available here.

An interesting aspect of the Order is that Vernon Township is required to pass an ordinance that will require the Township Council to approve and release at least redacted versions of its executive session minutes at the next meeting after the executive session took place. The ordinance will also require the Township Council, at each meeting, to review a log of all the redactions to past executive session minutes and decide whether the passage of time or the occurrence of events allows the redacted portions to be disclosed.

Plaintiff Wolosky was represented by attorneys Walter M. Luers and Jonathan E. McMeen. Vernon was represented by Michael D. Witt.

John Paff
Somerset, New Jersey