Letter: At Special Meeting, Township Committee Attorney Violated Rule

To the Editor:

I just watched the video of the at 3:30 p.m October 30, 2017 Middletown Township Special Meeting about the proposed recycling and garbage contract. Only one committeeman was actually present; neither of the candidates for reelection bothered to attend.

It certainly sounded as if a public commenter, who asked a simple question about the reason for meeting in the afternoon, not at night as usual, was being disrespected The township attorney kept jumping in to answer her, as has been his practice, acting as if he were a sixth elected committee member, while Committeeman Scharfenberger mostly sat silently.

That process violated their own meeting rules. Years ago I pointed out to them their own official policy that all comments need to be directed to the chair and answered by a member of the committee. Then, if they so choose, they can direct someone else, e.g. , the attorney or administrator to respond.

They did not seem to be explaining patiently to the (female) commenter! I doubt that Tricia Maguire ,who has been most gracious to me, will treat a public commenter that way!

It is past time for new blood in Middletown.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Schwebel
Leonardo, N.J.

Letter: Trinity Hall and the Township of Middletown

Dear Editor:

I have one simple question. What is the Township of Middletown's position on the proposed Trinity Hall development in Chapel Hill? When questioned on the issue in the past, the Township Committee told residents that the approval or denial of the proposed development’s application is solely the Township Planning Board’s decision.

On June 11, 2014, the Township Planning Board voted 6-3 to deny Trinity Hall's application. Shortly after the application was denied, Trinity Hall filed a law suit against Middletown Township seeking relief of the Planning Board’s decision. One would think that based on the previous statements made by the Township Committee, Middletown and the Township Attorney would vehemently defend the Township Planning Board’s decision. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case. This past Friday upon the Superior Court of New Jersey’s ruling on Trinity Hall’s lawsuit, a letter that Middletown Township Attorney, Brian Nelson, wrote to the presiding judge was made public. Based on this letter it appears Mr. Nelson contradicts the position of the Township Planning Board’s decision to deny the Trinity Hall application and it appears that he and the Township Committee side with Trinity Hall by recommending that the Court grant the school’s request to reverse the Planning Board’s decision and approve the application without remand to the Planning Board.

Is it not the responsibility of the township’s governing body to protect the interests of its residents above all else? After reading Mr. Nelson’s letter, all Middletown residents should be asking themselves who is our Township Attorney really working for and what is the Township Committee’s position on the proposed Trinity Hall development in Chapel Hill?

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. Yachmetz
Concerned Resident of Middletown