Articles for Municipal & Local Government

Get to Know MCCM Managing Partner Peter J. Weishaar

Did you ever wonder what made us decide to become lawyers? Maybe you wondered what we do when we’re not practicing law? Welcome to our inaugural post from our new “Get to Know Us” series, featuring different members of our MCCM team, where we answer those questions. Our first post features our Managing Partner, Peter J. Weishaar, who last month celebrated 25 years of practicing…

Peter J. Weishaar

Child Victims Act – Reviving Old Claims and Implicating Organizations’ Liability

UPDATE: Legislation to extend the window within which to file claims under the Child Victims Act was signed into law by the Governor. The window to file claims is now extended to August 14, 2021.…

New SEQRA Regulations: Let’s Take a Hard Look

The regulations implementing the State Environmental Quality Review Act—commonly known as SEQRA—were recently amended by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The newly…

Schrödinger's Fire Engine: The $20,000 Paradox

Last November, we wrote about an amendment to Town Law section 176(23), which made it easier for fire districts to sell surplus fire equipment, vehicles or other property. Before the amendment, a…

Not In My Backyard! Why Neighbors Often Think Their Concerns Are Ignored

It was a packed house in the town hall auditorium, as the planning board convened to consider a controversial application for site plan approval. As one of the neighbors concluded his remarks in…

New Law Removes Red Tape For Fire Districts Selling Surplus Apparatus

One of the most common questions we receive from our fire district clients relates to the process required for a fire district to sell surplus fire equipment, vehicles or other property. Earlier…

New Notice Requirements for Public Meetings Enacted

The Open Meetings Law requires public notice of a meeting to be given to the news media and conspicuously posted in one or more designated public locations. Earlier this month, the Governor signed a…

Nonprofit Best Practices Now Mandatory

The Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013 implements significant changes to New York State's nonprofit laws, effective July 1, 2014. The changes mandate best practices in governance and accountability…

New York Expands "Piggybacking" Exception to Competitive Bidding

For the second time this year, the legislature made significant changes to the competitive bidding statute. The most recent amendment expands the “piggybacking” exception, such that…

Challenging Real Estate Tax Assessments: An Overview

On May 1, the nation, as it has done every year since 1961, observed "Law Day" to commemorate the rule of law, the judiciary and its place in American society. This year the theme was "No Courts, No…

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