BAYONNE -- If the petition signatures are ruled valid by the city clerk, an ordinance gradually eliminating rent control, passed by the Bayonne City Council in November, will be suspended until the council either votes to appeal the ordinance or the matter is put on the ballot for the general public to decide.
Opponents of the changes to rent control managed to get 200 signatures more than the required 845 needed to put the matter to a public vote.
City Clerk Robert Sloan said his office has 20 days to make certain that the petition has the minimum amount of valid signatures, after which the city must either conduct a special meeting with 45 days or put it off to next November’s general election. A special election would cost the city about $250,000, which it could save if it delays the vote until next November.
40:69A-192. Timing of election at which submitted to voters
a. Any ordinance to be voted on by the voters in accordance with section 17-36 or section 17-42 of this act (C.40:69A-185 or C.40:69A-191) shall be submitted at the next general or regular municipal election occurring not less than 40 days after the final date for withdrawal of the petition as provided for in section 17-42 of this act (C.40:69A-191), provided that if no such election is to be held within 90 days the council shall provide for a special election to be held not less than 40 nor more than 60 days from the final date for withdrawal of the petition as provided for in section 17-42 (C.40:69A-191) of this act.