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.

October 30, 2017 Special Middletown Township Committee Meeting; Ask A Simple Question ...

Yesterday, the Middletown Township Committee held a hastily called meeting to introduce an ordinance that would dissolve the current garbage district. The meeting was considered a formality by the committee so only acting mayor, Gerry Scharfenberger was in attendance. The other members of the current committee, Kevin Settenbrino, Tony Fiore and Stephenie Murray phoned it in.

What's of note here is that when the meeting was opened for public comments, the individual asking questions about the process of holding a meeting at 3:30 in the afternoon, as opposed to later so that other members of the public could attend, wasn't just rudely answered, this person was totally disrespected and accused of grandstanding due to the upcoming election by township committee attorney, Brian Nelson.

Nelson, has a history of interjecting his own thoughts and comments during meetings. Nelson is not an elected official but often acts as if he is the 6th committee person while the others sit back idly and allow him to do so.

Yesterday, his actions where cringe worthy and unprofessional.

As for the ordinance, if was approved and will be officially adopted at the next committee meeting on Nov. 20th.




Here is a copy of the Meeting Agenda

September 18, 2017 Middletown Township Committee Meeting: It's All About Garbage

At the September 18th meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, a resolution that would include all of the township into the garbage collection district was presented for public input. This means that all of the homes in town will have their garbage and recycles collected by one company and there will no longer be private collection, which means that there will be some winners and losers when this resolution goes into effect on January 1st, 2018.

The cost for garbage collection will be included in the property taxes of all resident s that live outside of the current garbage district; Some of these residents pay as little as $67 per quarter now and will see a sharp increase in their garbage fees, while others will see moderate increases.  Those on the governing body however, say that those increases will be offset by the fact that those currently living outside of the garbage collection district, will no longer need to pay out of pocket for bulk garbage disposal, which will save them out of pocket expenses if they have large items like furniture or appliances to throw out.

M&S Waste Services, a company that has been hauling garbage in Middletown for 57 years, created a big controversy when they announced to residents that this change was going to take place. As a result.

It seems that this decision was made "behind" closed doors and in secrecy. It wasn't going to be addressed during the meeting that night until word got out; It was a last minute addition to the agenda.

On Tuesday (on the day after the meeting), the township announced the change to garbage pick-up to residents on its website.

The discussion of the resolution begins at 38 minutes into the meeting for those interested in hearing the details.

And for those that live outside of the garbage districts, who wish to know how much this change will cost them, the tax rate for waste collection is currently .0065 per $100 of assessed home value. So for those living in the more affluent sections of Middletown, you can expect to be paying much more for your waste disposal.



As always you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

2014 Christmas Tree Collection

From Middletown Alerts:


Within Township Garbage District - The township contractor is picking up Christmas trees for those that have Township Garbage Collection on the second collection day (Thursday, Friday or Saturday).

Outside the Garbage District - Christmas Trees will be collected according the schedule below for those who have private garbage collection.Click the link below for schedule.

Xmas Tree Colllection Schedule Outside the Garbage District

Recycling Center Tree Drop-off - Christmas Trees can be dropped off the Kanes Lane Recycling Center, 52 Kanes Lane, by Middletown residents only free of charge. Call 732-615-2008 for more information.