Appeal, yes, but the town may also wish to obtain a stay the part of the ruling that requires the Council to adopt the specified ordinance. The latter is no mean feat. Final judgments and orders from New Jersey Superior Court trial court judges are extremely difficult to “dislodge”. Appellate Division judges have to practically be charmed to within an inch of their lives before agreeing to block implementation of a trial court’s judgment pending final appellate disposition. The whole system is more or less designed to front load power at the trial court level rather than at the apellate level. Hard to see why things must be arranged this way but thems the facts and Ridgewood must deal with them squarely.
What would.be the consequences If Ridgewood’s Village Council does not follow the judge’s order by voting to pass the ordinance in question but instead simply allows the 90 days to elapse with no action taken (except taking an appeal)?
Good question !!! Appeal, and start collecting taxes.