SEIU President April Verrett joined labor leaders and civil rights advocates today to applaud President Biden’s clemency announcement

Conditional release program reports over 90 percent success in avoiding juvenile detention.

Massachusetts housing budget now mandates landlords pay rental agency fees rather than tenants.

County staff presented the FY 2026–27 budget overview, explained gross vs net budgeting and the county’s property‑tax reliance, and the council voted 6–1 to publish the recommended TRIM rates and set September budget hearings. Officials warned a pending constitutional amendment could force much deeper cuts next year.

Director Raich told the committee the Cummings School requires extensive structural, electrical and life-safety work and that cost estimates to occupy or rehabilitate the School Street wing were high (memo cited roughly $28,000,000). He recommended the school committee consider disposition options; the TAB building remains the near-term swing-space solution and staff are surveying other city properties.

A consulting team presented a study finding that privatizing EMS transport would likely improve engine staffing and reduce strain on Collingswood's single-station fire department; the consultants estimated adding three firefighters would cost about $350,000 a year, while privatization could shift ambulance revenue and operations.

Multiple residents raised concerns during public comment: a speaker representing Tiara Lee disputed the city's account of a settlement offer; Rosanna Polito urged landlord licensing to protect seniors and renters; James Johnson and others criticized police camera handling and discipline; speakers also questioned ShotSpotter spending and called for neighborhood repairs.

Members and community representatives told the ad hoc committee to press for a succinct Case Management Conference statement that emphasizes cultural change and asks the police chief to outline specific, measurable goals for altering department culture.

The board approved a reimbursement agreement directing a single county payment of $5,739,246 to Garden City to cover renovations and relocation costs for temporary law‑enforcement facilities while a new county jail is built; the agreement requires final reconciliation and oversight by the joint sales‑tax committee.

Fire Chief Troy Hazy told the council the department faces recruitment and training challenges, high vehicle-crash response rates and lower collection rates for EMS billing; he outlined recent equipment and service additions including ambulance ultrasound and a planned open house.

The Akron Public Safety Committee voted 4–1 to issue an adverse report on a resolution that asked the administration to limit deployment of long guns and AR‑style rifles to SWAT zones, after members debated officer safety, past incidents and an ongoing departmental review of long-gun policy.

County officials say the jail millage debt will end in 2026–27 and plan a staggered five-year transition of $1.7 million in personnel costs back to the general fund; officials propose a space study to test whether footprint or staffing can be reduced safely.

Administrator Brown told the committee the detention center population is just over 1,000; roughly 46.8% have been detained more than 181 days, about 28.4% more than a year, and about 57.1% are charged with violent offenses, according to the detention-center report presented to the committee.

At the Old Tappan meeting, the borough planner reviewed three Senate bills — conversions of houses of worship to multiunit housing, a broad ADU expansion, and a 'stranded assets' redevelopment bill — and urged officials to consider a League of Municipalities sample resolution and a June/July review of the master plan.

The Tallmadge City Council on July 9 unanimously adopted Ordinances 2026-52 and 2026-55 and approved Ordinance 2026-56 to buy an ambulance; council also passed a resolution honoring two state track champions. Votes on the three ordinances were 6–0.

Council selected Kennedy Avenue Phase II as its top NJDOT grant application, discussed DPW staffing and delayed street sweeping, debated pond lifeguard scheduling, and Mayor Hutnick said he will pursue a local ordinance to ban data centers and update property maintenance rules.

On April 27 the LPA recommended transmitting county‑initiated Lee Plan cleanup amendments and approved several Land Development Code changes: administrative amendments for existing mines, relaxed rules for stacking shipping containers in industrial zones, simplified minor‑commercial architectural standards, and administrative lighting and solid‑waste clarifications. Industry and staff supported the mining change; limited public remark recorded.

At its Oct. 21 meeting the Bay County commission approved routine consent items, adopted a county parks code revision allowing alcohol at permitted special events, authorized a Tefra hearing resolution on tax‑exempt bonds for Ascension/Sacred Heart, promoted a utilities director and approved a lease/grant package for a port‑related manufacturer.

Commission allocates funds for Alibaba Avenue resurfacing while addressing street drainage concerns.

Community members accuse local officials of corruption and call for moral accountability and reform.

The committee recommended council approval of a police-department rank restructure and an associated side letter to the collective-bargaining agreement; Police Chief Jody Gearing said the change fixes long-standing rank confusion and would reduce General Fund draw by about $65,000 annually.

Senators question manufacturers on production delays and alleged price increase tactics.

After detailed budget discussion the Board of Selectmen tabled the capital budget until the first full March meeting, authorized a $250,000 parks-and-recreation grant resolution for the First Selectman to sign, agreed to pursue a streetlight application on Route 44, and scheduled a public informational meeting on the Route 44/384 project for March 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Council proposes programs for equitable cannabis licenses and expedited processing for applicants