Upper Township Adds Moment of Silence to Meetings

Committee members began the practice this week after the Pledge of Allegiance.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:47am

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The Upper Township Committee in New Jersey has started including a moment of silence at the beginning of their municipal meetings, following the Pledge of Allegiance. The new practice was introduced by Mayor Curtis Corson last month, though the committee did not have much discussion about it before implementing it this week.

Why it matters

The addition of a moment of silence at the start of government meetings is a common practice in many communities, often to provide time for personal reflection or prayer. However, the decision can sometimes be controversial, with debates around the separation of church and state.

The details

According to the Press of Atlantic City, the Upper Township Committee began the new moment of silence practice on Monday, following the Pledge of Allegiance that opens every municipal meeting. Last month, Mayor Curtis Corson had suggested opening each meeting with a prayer, but the committee did not have much discussion about the moment of silence before implementing it.

  • The Upper Township Committee began the moment of silence practice on Monday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Upper Township Committee

The governing body of Upper Township, New Jersey.

Curtis Corson

The mayor of Upper Township, New Jersey, who suggested opening meetings with a prayer last month.

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The takeaway

The addition of a moment of silence at government meetings is a common practice, but can sometimes be controversial. The Upper Township Committee implemented the new policy without much public discussion, raising questions about the process and potential implications around the separation of church and state.