The state party had encouraged towns and counties to hold them between Feb. 4 and Saturday, but they began Jan . 29and will not end until March 20.
The committee, which has encouraged towns and cities to strengthen ethics requirements before with varying levels of success, is determined to pass strong legislation this year, he said.
Still, many homeowners remain resolute, having already resisted through two punishing hurricanes, public shamings — a tactic encouraged by Gov. Chris Christie, who said he had "no sympathy" for their concerns — and a decision by the state's highest court that has encouraged towns to skip the easements and take the needed land by eminent domain.
To encourage town councils to join the battle, the government is offering them one-third of revenues recovered and fines levied for their part in successful prosecutions.
The government said it would encourage town halls to set up their own mergers or outsource services to a single regional agency, while they would also be offered financial support to establish regional services.
Nothing can be done without state approval, but Mr. Robinson said he would support a plan to replace traffic lights at both ends of a busy stretch of State Road 116 with traffic circles, narrow the highway to two lanes from three and widen the sidewalks -- all as a way to slow drivers and encourage town residents to walk or ride bicycles.
However, though Magson reckons 2014 offers a "golden opportunity" for the government to encourage town councils and police authorities to experiment with decriminalisation, obstacles remain.
California has such a system, he said, which encourages towns and cities to set up their own curbside recycling.
The project also encourages towns to start Community Emergency Funds to help pregnant women who must buy their own delivery kit.
"Many of us felt this will encourage towns to create more units, working toward a moratorium," said Mr. Ugalde.
