Borough

Bellefonte Borough Council Prevails as Sunshine Act Lawsuit Dismissed Over Technicality

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Bellefonte, PA — A lawsuit alleging violations of the Sunshine Act by the Bellefonte Borough Council was recently dismissed due to a procedural error in the filing process, leaving advocates for government transparency disheartened. The legal action, initiated by a local transparency advocate, claimed that the council had conducted discussions about a developmental project behind closed doors, which should have been accessible to the public under Pennsylvania’s open meetings law. Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act mandates that all discussions of agencies relating to business which would otherwise be accessible by the public must be held openly, with … Read more

Northern Cambria Police Chief Takes Legal Action Against Borough, Mayor, and State Trooper in High-Stakes Lawsuit

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Northern Cambria, PA — A legal battle has erupted in Northern Cambria, with the town’s police chief filing a lawsuit against the local government, its mayor, and a state trooper. The lawsuit, filed earlier this week in a district court, has stirred controversy in this small community nestled in Cambria County, raising questions about law enforcement practices and local governance. The police chief, whose identity has been withheld for legal reasons, alleges a pattern of inappropriate conduct and interference by the mayor and certain actions undertaken by a state trooper that he claims have impeded … Read more

Negligent Stormwater Management Costs New Jersey Borough $21.8 Million in Flood-damaged Properties

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CAMDEN COUNTY, New Jersey – A jury has reached a verdict in a lawsuit alleging that negligent stormwater management by the Borough of Haddonfield resulted in severe flooding and damage to four houses. The plaintiffs, who owned the affected properties, claimed that a storm on June 20, 2019, caused backups in the borough’s stormwater management system, leading to flooding and contamination. The jury’s unanimous decision, which awarded $21.8 million in damages, serves as a warning to municipal officials who may prioritize flashy investments over essential infrastructure like stormwater management. According to Robert D. Sokolove, the … Read more