On September 24, 2010, I wrote to the Neptune Township Housing Authority complaining that the Authority's Board of Commissioners is not in compliance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and the Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). Among the issues complained of: a) the Authority charging an excessive amount for copies of public records, b) the Authority's failure to respond to a request for executive session minutes and c) the Authority's failure to adequately inform the public of the topics that will discussed during non-public (i.e., "executive" or "closed") session. My letter and attachments are on-line here.
Some of the exhibits to my letter are legal services invoices submitted to the Authority by Bart J. Cook, Esq. of Asbury Park. Unlike many attorneys who charge their governmental clients for only the services performed, Mr. Cook bills the authority an $1,125 monthly "retainer" in addition to $150 per hour for legal work performed.