Candidate Forum in Middletown Canceled Due to Republican Lack of Interest

For Immediate Release

10/3/22

 By the Middletown Democrats

Middletown NJ - Middletown’s so-called “leadership” has shown itself again with the refusal of the Middletown Republicans to participate in this year’s Candidates Night sponsored by the Lincroft Village Green Association (LVGA) and moderated by the League of Women Voters. This is the second year in a row that the forum was cancelled due to lack of participation. Candidates Night was scheduled for October 19th.

Last year, when one of the Democratic candidates for Township Committee could not participate, Democrats insisted that the event continue even though it would appear imbalanced. The League of Women Voters opted to cancel the forum. The subsequent cries from the GOP last year were disingenuous and outrageous. 

 

What a difference a year makes. The Republican candidates have decided that participating in an open forum like Candidates Night is of no interest to them, depriving our voters of an opportunity to hear for themselves where the candidates stand. Multiple attempts were made by LVGA to have the Republican candidates attend, including a personal plea by a LVGA member at the September 19th Township Committee meeting. True to form, the voice of a resident was simply ignored. 

Refusing to participate in this year’s Candidate Night is just another example of the contempt and distain the Township Committee has for the citizens of Middletown Township. Those residents who attend the meetings, speak up, and challenge the Township Committee are often subjected to eye rolling, snickering and disinterested sighs. These committee members feel enabled and entitled by their stranglehold on Township politics, to the detriment of all voters – regardless of party affiliation.

Democrat Paige Gregorio states, "I’m disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to connect with voters and answer questions about me, my perspectives, and how I plan to earn their votes on November 8th. Republicans in Middletown have been in power for 40 years, but how much do our voters really know about them? I’d like to know if the incumbents are on the right side of women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and other important national issues. Or are they just radical conservatives who support Donald Trump and the January 6 insurrection?" 

 The Middletown Democrats believe it is time to take these elected officials to task for their self-interest and cronyism. They should be admonished for treating our taxpayers poorly. They should not be rewarded for stocking our Planning Board with friends and sycophants. And most importantly, they should be held accountable for the ineptitude and failures at TOMSA that resulted in the death of a worker and the findings of serious safety violations. The Middletown Democrats warned voters about political patronage at the TOMSA years ago.

 "The lack of response by our currently elected local officials is indicative of their strategy for this year's election. They want low voter turnout. They want uninformed voting. They rely on that to stay in power. It aligns with the radical, undemocratic national GOP agenda,” candidate Rocky Rios has stated. We could not agree more.

October 2, 2017 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

Before it gets much later and the next Middletown Township Committee meeting comes and goes, I think I should post the Oct. 2nd meeting.

Here are the highlights:

Annual presentations were given by TOMSA, the Housing Authority and the Green Team. The Green Team presented methods in which the Township could realize energy savings by entering into various government programs designed to save energy.

Ordinances were introduced to repeal the snow shoveling registry and to amend planning and development regulations governing electronic signs and clarifying that microbreweries and micro distilleries are permitted use in certain zones, while establishing standards for them.

Discussion items on the agenda did not generate much discussion among the Committee members, but the Administrator mentioned that 2 bids were received for the microgram feasibility study, there is a need for the Township to apply to the Green Acres program to change the use of the school at Croydon Hall to a community center and that more security cameras need to be installed to combat vandalism at parks.

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.

December 5, 2016 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

At the December 5th meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, TOMSA and the Middletown Housing Authority made a presentation which included each bodies accomplishments of the past year and what they have planned for the coming year.

During Public Comments information on the new Township Municipal complex was discussed.



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.

NOTICE: Tax sale on December 29. Tax sale list finalized for publication as of Nov. 25.

Middletown Township will hold a sale of unpaid property taxes and sewer fees on Tuesday, December 29. The sale will include property taxes owed through the fourth quarter of 2015 and sewer fees owed through August, including accrued interest. (Typically, only sewer accounts with balances of more than $150 through the cut-off date are included in the sale.)

Middletown’s published tax sale notice will include accounts with balances as of Nov. 25, so residents have until the close of business that day to pay in full to avoid inclusion on the list. Due to the accelerated sale schedule, payments must be certified funds – either bank cashier check, money order, or cash.

Balances paid after Nov. 25 will include additional charges (from $40-$125 last year) for sale and publication. The last day to pay to avoid inclusion in the sale is typically the day beforehand. No payments will be accepted the day of the sale.

If you have questions about the property taxes you owe, contact the tax collector’s office at 732-615-2086. If you have questions about sewer fees, call TOMSA at 732-495-1010.

Middletown Township first held this type of accelerated sale in December 2010.

December 16, 2013 TOMSA Meeting

To finish rounding things out for 2013, here is the video from the last meeting of the year of the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA).

The audio from this video is not the best due to the noise that the HVAC system was producing. The fact that the board members do not speak up for the public to hear doesn't help matters much.



The agenda and a summary of this meeting can be found... HERE

NOTICE : Middletown Tax Sale Scheduled For Dec. 30th

Pay by Wednesday, Nov. 27 to avoid extra charges.

by Linda Baum

Middletown Township will hold a sale of unpaid property taxes and sewer fees at 9:00 AM on December 30th. The sale will include property taxes owed for 2013 and sewer fees owed through August 31st, including accrued interest. Only sewer accounts with balances of more than $150 through the cut-off date will be included in the sale.

Wednesday, November 27 is the last day to pay balances to avoid additional charges ranging from $40-$125 for sale & publication and to avoid having your property included in the public notice. Middletown’s tax collection office will be open until 4:00 PM on Nov. 27. TOMSA will be open that day until 4:30 PM. Due to the accelerated sale schedule, payments must be certified funds – either bank cashier check, money order, or cash.

To avoid inclusion in the December 30th sale, residents have until 4:00 PM on Friday, December 27 to pay amounts owed (TOMSA is open until 4:30 PM).

Middletown Township first held this type of accelerated sale in December 2010. Prior to that, tax sales were typically held in April. Fourth quarter property taxes are now being sold in the same quarter that they are due. Unfortunately, the quick sale may catch some residents by surprise, and they could wind up with a costly tax lien on their properties.

If you have questions about the property taxes you owe, contact the tax collector’s office at 732-615-2086. If you have questions about sewer fees, call TOMSA at 732-495-1010.

Bamm Hollow sewer project doubles system capacity near Avaya

by Linda Baum

The Bamm Hollow developer's approved sewer infrastructure project will create additional system capacity near Avaya, the site of the proposed Four Ponds development.

The sewer project involves extending a new force main from Emory pumping station to Fairview pumping station. The new system design will relieve capacity at Jumping Brook pumping station near Avaya. Use of the Jumping Brook pumping station will be cut in half, thus doubling capacity there, where Jumping Brook is currently at full capacity.

Emory pumping station is in need of repair, the Bamm Hollow project aside. The developer will replace the pipe needing repair.

The Bamm Hollow developer will receive a portion of the fees for new sewer hook-ups at Jumping Brook as “fair share” reimbursement.

This information was discussed recently at Middletown Sewerage Authority board meetings.

TOMSA Plant Tour During Public Meeting Violates the Open Public Meetings Act

by Linda Baum
Aug. 25, 2013

The most recent meeting of the Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) board was this past Monday, August 19. I’ve been attending TOMSA board meetings since November 2011 and for the second year in a row since I’ve been attending, they opened the public meeting, then all disappeared for 45 minutes on their annual plant tour that excludes the public. Both times, one person at the conference table stayed behind to babysit public attendees.

Last year I had a video camera with me and actually left it rolling for the whole meeting to emphasize the lunacy of a public board meeting absent a board. http://archive.org/details/8-9-12TOMSAMeeting During the public comments portion of that meeting, I had some things to say about the inappropriateness of scheduling a private tour during a public meeting, but the board was not inclined to change how they’d been operating for years. It didn’t seem right to me, and it turns out it’s not. It’s a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). You can’t have a public meeting that excludes the public.

This year, when they all got up to leave for the tour, I pointed out that they were not in compliance with the OPMA and suggested they could invite the public along or cancel the tour to be compliant. I asked if I could go with them and was told no. I wasn’t suggesting the public should be granted access to the plant, just wanted to verify that the public would be excluded from this portion of the public meeting.

The board’s attorney, Richard Leahey, said something about the Homeland Security Act superceding the OPMA. There were two other attorneys at the meeting, both board members and one a former mayor, and both said nothing. The Chairwoman, Chantal Bouw, stated that the tour was mentioned on TOMSA's website. I replied, "That doesn't make it lawful." Then off they went.

NOTICE: As part of this month's Board meeting, the Board will be attending to their annual tour of the Facility. This will be the first order of business. 

The website notice, shown above, seems to be an attempt to both justify the action and advise public attendees that they could arrive late. Still. Also note the meeting agenda doesn't mention the tour at all. If the tour is a legitimate “order of business”, why isn’t it on there?

Later, during public comments, I asked Mr. Leahey what section of the Homeland Security Act he was referring to earlier and what it stated. He said something about disallowing public access to certain areas for security reasons. I said OK, that I wasn't arguing that, but it had nothing to do with having a non-public tour during a public meeting and that the tour could be scheduled for another time. He replied that it was only once a year and not much of a public inconvenience. He meant, no doubt, that not many people were being inconvenienced since I was the only public attendee.

I’m not 100% sure what the law allows for here, but logically, compliance with one law shouldn’t give them the latitude to break another, especially if arrangements can be made to comply with both laws simply by rescheduling the tour.

It should be noted, however, that any gathering of a public body that has a quorum present and where public business is discussed, but that is not publicized or recorded or not open to the public, is a violation of the OPMA. So a plant tour that includes more than 3 members of the TOMSA board (4 is a quorum) may still run afoul of the Sunshine Law no matter when it’s held. Nor can the board simply enter into executive (non-public) session to take the tour because a tour is not one of the legal reasons for an executive session.

However TOMSA decides to handle this, they should discontinue the practice of holding the tour during a public board meeting. Imagine if you attended a Planning Board meeting and they all got up to visit a development site and left you sitting in the court room at Town Hall.

MUA Cadillac Benefits To Go, Says New Brick Dem Majority

by Linda Baum

Think it doesn’t matter who you vote for? It took a change of control in Brick to say enough is enough. That’s what it’s going to take in Middletown.

******************

Did anyone see the “Watchdog” column in Saturday’s Asbury Park Press (2/9/13)? The headline read “Brick MUA pays $93G for commissioners’ health benefits”. See the attached PDF with the APP article or link to it here: https://www.app.com/article/20130208/NJNEWS2002/302080134/Brick-MUA-pays-93G-commissioners-health-benefits

Political party control recently changed hands in Brick and the new Democratic majority has taken steps to end the provision of health benefits to Municipal Utility Authority board appointees. Patch readers may recall that I drew attention to this same issue a few weeks ago with regard to the Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA): http://middletown-nj.patch.com/blog_posts/middletown-twp-committee-approves-lucrative-board-compensation

Per the APP article, the value of health benefits for some Brick MUA board members is in the range of $26,000 to $33,000 annually! I was frankly surprised that anyone was even able to get at this information given the difficulty I’ve encountered here in Middletown and suppose the new majority there finally had the pull to obtain it.

The APP article states that “the Brick authority is self-insured, which allows them to make the rules about who is eligible for health benefits.” Middletown Township is also self-insured for health benefits, but from what I can gather -- at least for current employees if not retirees -- TOMSA is not self-insured. Instead, TOMSA offers employees several insurance plan options, one of which is a state health benefits plan. According to the APP article, “under the state health benefits plan, boards and council members are not allowed to take health benefits.” Surprisingly, however, two TOMSA board members – Chantal Bouw and Joan Smith -- were among those enrolled in the state plan per a list of TOMSA enrollees received from the state last year.

The article offered some other insights, too. For example, I hadn’t considered that TOMSA board members might be receiving dental coverage from the Authority or that they might be getting full or partial “opt out” payments for benefits they have declined.

Though I’m not sure if TOMSA provides payment for “opting out” of their health plan, Middletown Township does with certain restrictions. The Township offers no partial “opt out” payments, and any employee covered by another Township plan (e.g., a spouse’s plan) is ineligible. Township retirees are also ineligible for “opt out” payments, as well as dental and eyewear coverages.

Since TOMSA board members – even those who are actually retired -- are not retirees from the Authority’s perspective, the board members could be receiving full or partial “opt out” payments and dental & eyewear coverage in addition to other benefits. I have already confirmed that board members have eyewear coverage based on reimbursements that appear on TOMSA payment reports.

Another question is if TOMSA board members are contributing toward their health benefits in line with the 2010 State law that requires it. They are supposed to be paying the greater of 1.5% of salary or a certain percentage of the insurance premium. The latter is the far greater of the two for board appointees.

And if board members are being treated like employees during their terms on the board, are they being treated like retirees when terms end, continuing to receive health benefits well into the future?

Of the 7 TOMSA board members listed in the chart below, one -- Anthony DeMarco -- is a new appointee and therefore ineligible for health or pension benefits, though whether or not he is receiving benefits has not been verified.

I may never know the answer to these questions because TOMSA keeps this information well hidden. I can tell you that with the exception of the few report entries that I’ve already mentioned, there is nothing that reveals what benefits board members are receiving or what the costs of those benefits are. That information has been requested but has been denied -- unlawfully denied, in fact -- and it might take a change of guard like that in Brick Township to get it. http://middletown-nj.patch.com/blog_posts/middletown-declines-to-say-who-receives-paid-health-benefits

Brick council members have said they will appoint to the MUA board only people who will decline the benefits. While that’s a move in the right direction, I have to wonder why council members don’t just pass an ordinance eliminating the benefits altogether. That raises the question of whether or not an independent Authority would need to comply with such an ordinance. In fact, TOMSA has not seen fit to comply with the Middletown ordinance (codified in Chapter 47, section 4 of the Twp administrative code: http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-nj ) that states that TOMSA board members shall receive no compensation other than salary. However, the resistance of the majority on the Township Committee to pass an ordinance in 2009 stripping benefits for all board appointees suggests that such an ordinance may have teeth.

One thing is certain, though – greater oversight and transparency are needed and won’t happen until there is a change of political control in the Township. Middletown has been under Republican control now for three and a half decades.


TOMSA BOARD APPOINTEES:

Thomas F. Stokes - TOMSA Board 25 years, term expires 2/1/18
Lives out-of-state part of year; calls in to meetings
A regular board member until 2/1/13; made an alternate thereafter.
Current Republican District Committeeperson
Former Board of Education member

James L. Hinckley - TOMSA Board 24 years, term expires 2/1/14, current vice chair
Current Republican District Committeeperson
Current Middletown GOP treasurer
Current Zoning Board Chairman

Chantal Bouw -  TOMSA Board 15 years, term expires 2/1/18, current chair
Current Republican District Committeeperson
Current Middletown GOP Vice Chair
Current Zoning Board Vice Chair
Current Local Assistance Board member

Joan A. Smith - TOMSA Board 8 years, term expires 2/1/15, current secretary / treasurer
Current Republican District Committeeperson
Former Middletown mayor

Charles W. Rogers  - TOMSA Board 6 years, term expires 2/1/17
Middletown Emergency Services Manager

Emil F. Wrede -  TOMSA Board 5 years, term expires 2/1/18
Made a regular member on 2/1/13; previously an alternate
Current Zoning Board member

Anthony DeMarco - TOMSA Board 1 year (alternate), term expires 2/1/16

Middletown Twp Committee Approves Lucrative Board Compensation

by Linda Baum


While every other board and commission in Middletown is 100% volunteer, the Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) board members are highly compensated – they receive salary, pension credit, and health benefits. The board meets once a month for less than an hour.

When the Sewerage Authority was formed back in the 1960s, the board met between 3 and 5 times a week during the period when the sewer system was being designed. Today, the board’s effort is no greater than that of any other board in town, all the rest of whom volunteer their time.

Further, in the beginning TOMSA board members received only an annual stipend of $1000. They did not receive pension or medical benefits, which are in violation of the Township’s own ordinances that state that TOMSA board members shall receive no compensation other than salary.

There are 5 regular members and 2 alternates on the TOMSA board. Today, the annual salaries are $2,150 for the chairperson and $1,750 for other members. Health and pension benefits are worth tens of thousands more.

In 2009, in response to a new state law, the Township Committee passed Ordinance No. 2009-2967, which states “the Township Committee of the Township of Middletown believes it is the best interest of the taxpayers of the Township to eliminate the receipt of pension and/or health benefits by part-time elected and appointed officials”.

That ordinance stripped pension and health benefits for new board appointees but allowed for the continuation of benefits for any board member currently receiving them.

Thus, the Township Committee can save taxpayers a great deal of money by not re-appointing TOMSA board members as terms expire. Yet the re-appointments continue.

At Middletown’s annual organization meeting on Jan 6th, the Township Committee re-appointed to 5-year terms three members of the Sewerage Authority board whose current terms expire on Feb. 1st.

One of the re-appointees, Thomas Stokes, has been on the TOMSA board 25 years next month and has lived out-of-state half the year since 2010. With his re-appointment to the board, Mr. Stokes was changed from a regular member to an alternate, no doubt to save him the trouble of attending meetings while he continues to collect salary and benefits through Feb. 2018.

The patronage needs to end. Residents should demand that the Township Committee pass an ordinance eliminating all compensation – salary and benefits – for all board members.

Eliminating TOMSA board perks would save Middletown property owners over $100,000 a year.

REMINDER: Tax Sale To Be Held Thursday, December 27

by Linda Baum

(cross posted from Middletown Patch)
Property owners have just Monday & Wednesday to pay 2012 taxes.


As the holiday draws near, Middletown is preparing for its annual tax sale, to be held 9:00 a.m. this Thursday, Dec. 27. To be sold are unpaid property taxes for 2012, including those for the 4th quarter, and sewer fees owed for the fiscal year ending June 30th.

Notice of the tax sale was published in the Dec. 7th edition of the Two River Times. I was told by the Township that the notice would be published again in TRT’s Dec. 21st edition, but I don’t see that online yet, so can’t confirm. The tax sale list is the same in both editions, reflecting payments made prior to Nov. 26 only. The list can be accessed temporarily here: http://archive.org/details/TaxSaleListForMiddletown. The archive link will expire around the end of this month.

I first provided notice of the sale on Patch on Dec. 12th. Because there are a large number of properties on the list and many owners may not be aware they have unpaid balances, I felt it was important to get last minute word out to as many people as possible.

Many of the amounts owed are small, a few hundred or less that may be only accrued interest in some cases. I know a woman who owed just $50 or so a year or two back and she didn’t know until she saw her name in the paper. She was embarrassed, but more relieved to have found out in time to escape a lien on her home.

A likely reason for the large number of delinquencies is that taxes for the current quarter are included in the sale. Unfortunately, the quick sale may catch many people by surprise.

Both Middletown Township and TOMSA moved to an “accelerated” December sale schedule in 2010. Prior to that, sales were in April, including April 2010, and included amounts owed for the prior calendar year. The transition to a December sale schedule in 2010 provided a one-time revenue boost for that year. While TOMSA included only the first two quarters of 2010 in the Dec. 2010 sale, the Township chose to include all 4 quarters of 2010 to maximize revenue that year. As a result, the Township had to continue that cycle – selling 1st through 4th quarter unpaid taxes at the end of the tax year – in order to include a full year’s worth of taxes in subsequent December sales.

A review of public notices in the APP over the last few weeks shows that numerous other municipalities hold tax sales in December but many aren’t including the 4th quarter, or even the 3rd, in their sales. Matawan is one example – their sale this year includes taxes through the 3rd quarter only. I think that approach is far more reasonable and I would like to see Middletown change its current practice.

There are some barriers, though. One, in the same way that the transition to an “accelerated” sale schedule in 2010 produced extra revenue that year, “decelerating” could produce a shortfall and might only be feasible in a year when there is sufficient surplus to make up the difference.

Another barrier has to do with how the municipal budget is developed, per discussion at the Nov. 14th meeting of the Township Committee. See my Dec. 12th post for an explanation: http://middletown-nj.patch.com/blog_posts/middletown-accelerated-tax-sale-scheduled-for-december-27th

I hope you find this information helpful. May you all have a happy and healthy holiday.

12-13-12 TOMSA Meeting

Last Wednesday night, December 13th, there was a meeting of the Middletown Township Sewerage Authority(TOMSA).

After a brief public hearingt, where only one person asked a question, the 2013 budget for the TOMSA was adopted. It will now be forwarded to the N.J. Department of Community Affailr for approval.

Even though the meeting video lasts only 34 minutes, I haven't had a chance to watch it all due to the time constrains of the holiday season. I hope to get back to it at a later date.

Be warned, the audio of the video is a bit fuzzy and is a little hard to listen to, but you can make out what is being discussed with little difficulty, so it is worth the watch.



Here is a copy of the TOMSA meeting agenda for December 13th, 2012

Middletown Accelerated Tax Sale Scheduled for December 27th

by Linda Baum

This post provides notice of the pending sale. Residents may wish to settle unpaid balances now to avoid a tax lien on their properties.


On Thursday, December 27, Middletown Township will hold a sale of unpaid property taxes and sewer fees. The sale will include property taxes owed for 2012 – including amounts owed for the current quarter – and sewer fees owed through June 30th.

A list of affected properties, sorted by block and lot number, was published in the December 7th edition of the Two River Times weekly and is available here until December 13th: http://trtnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/December-7-classified.pdf. The Times’ link will become inactive after the new edition comes out on Friday, so the public notice has been saved to an archive site and is accessible here: http://archive.org/details/TaxSaleListForMiddletown.

The Two River Times is not as widely read as the Asbury Park Press, and regardless, many people get their news online these days. I am providing a heads up about the tax sale on Patch to give folks a better chance to address the matter timely to avoid the headache and extra expense of a tax lien on their properties. I am told that those on the list have been notified by mail, but many of us fall behind on our paperwork – especially this time of year – and letters don’t always reach recipients.

The published list was compiled by the Township on or about November 26 and does not reflect payments made since then. Amounts owed include interest and also some sale-related charges which are required to be paid even if accounts are settled ahead of the December 27 sale date. Property owners had until November 16 to pay 4th quarter taxes this year without accruing interest for late payment.

Middletown Township and TOMSA first held accelerated tax sales in the month of December starting in 2010. Prior to that, sales were typically held in April, including a sale in April 2010. The shift in 2010 provided a one-time hit of additional revenue that year.

The December sale means that 4th quarter taxes are being sold only about six weeks after they are due. That short timeframe was true the last two years as well but is particularly burdensome to residents this year in the aftermath of the storm.

At the November 14th meeting of the Township Committee, I asked officials if the sale of 4th quarter property taxes could be postponed until the spring of 2013 to give residents more of a cushion to pay. The Township’s CFO, Nicola Trasente, explained that they couldn’t postpone the sale of 4th quarter taxes because there was a need to raise the revenue in 2012 for the purposes of developing the Township’s 2013 budget. If I understood him correctly, 2012 actual revenue is the basis for 2013 projected revenue in line with state rules, and any reduction in 2012 revenue would mean a bigger 2013 shortfall and tax increase.

I pointed out that the budget is a dynamic document that could be adjusted for additional revenue raised in the spring of 2013, ahead of the budget’s finalization and approval typically held in the summer. Mr. Trasente said that a budget vote could occur at any time, even in January or February, seeming to imply that the vote would occur earlier in the year than usual. (While I can think of at least one good reason for early budget adoption, it seems less likely in 2013 given the number of storm-related re-assessments). Trasente said that the Township had asked the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to waive the “revenue” rule, but that DCA officials said it was outside their authority to alter the rules and that permission would need to come from the Legislature or Governor.

As of the date of this post, 4th quarter unpaid taxes will be included in the December 27 sale. Inquiries can be directed to the Tax Collector’s office at 732-615-2086.

11-15-12 Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) Meeting

The Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority's (TOMSA) Board of Commissioners meet for their monthly meeting last Thursday night. This month's meeting was held in the conference room at Middletown's Town Hall, rather than at TOMSA's offices in Belford due to the effects of flooding from  Hurricane Sandy.

The video is 23 minutes long, a few minutes shorter than the actual meeting lasted, even though it was the first public meeting of the Board since Hurricane Sandy.

The meeting was as unremarkable as usual, but the banter back and forth between board members about what happened during and after Hurricane Sandy swept though, was somewhat interesting even though we have heard similar stories from others before.

The lone bit of news to come out of this meeting was that bids for  the construction of TOMSA's gas cogeneration plant were rejected and the plans will be put out for bidding once again.





Here is the meeting agenda for to help you follow along.

10-11-12 TOMSA Meeting

For all those interested, here is the video from the last weeks meeting of the Township of Middletown Sewage Authority. Pay close attention, if you blink you'll miss the meeting, It lasted all of 23 minute.

Why again are we paying these guys a yearly stipend of $1750 with pension and health benefits tossed in for good measure?



Here's the meeting agenda to help you follow along

Political Patronage at Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority Stinks

Middletown Democratic Party 

For Immediate Release:                                                                                      

September 24, 2012

(Middletown) - The Middletown Township Committee and the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) Board and Executive Director have been using TOMSA as a political patronage pit for many years. The seven-member TOMSA board currently includes the Middletown GOP vice chairperson, the Middletown GOP treasurer, and a former Republican mayor. Four of the seven are current Republican district committeepersons. The Executive Director is also a former Republican mayor, and TOMSA’s attorney is a member of the law firm of our former Township Attorney.

 Board members receive an annual salary of $1,750 ($2,150 for the Chairperson), medical benefits, and pension credit. Qualified taxpayer-funded lifetime medical benefits are also extended to spouses. These lucrative benefits are provided even though the board meets for less than one hour per month, and recipients include a member that phones in six months a year because he lives out of state. 

In 2008, the State of New Jersey passed a law to eliminate benefits for newly appointed board members, but the Township Committee gets around that law by continuing to re-appoint their friends when their terms expire. The end result today is that two members have been on the TOMSA Board for almost 25 years, another member has been on the Board for almost 15 years, and most of the remaining members have been on the board for over 5 years. That is not just wasteful, it is disrespectful of Township taxpayers.

Middletown should no longer fund a board of this size at this rate, especially since the Middletown Township sewerage system is largely built out; the Board (established in 1966) has served its original purpose of managing the installation of a sewerage system throughout Middletown Township. Middletown taxpayers could save about $100,000 annually in salary and benefits by eliminating the Sewerage Authority Board and reassigning the responsibilities to a department like Public Works.

Political patronage is a serious violation of the public’s trust. In 2008, Republican Governor Chris Christie harshly criticized the largely Democratic Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for using the board as their “piggy bank” for patronage jobs. He said the commission was, “a remnant of New Jersey that should be part of our embarrassing past.” He stepped in and fired 71 people. Records showed they were funneling money to no-bid contracts with political insiders.

In Middletown, it is hard to determine exactly what TOMSA is doing with our tax dollars because they routinely break laws designed to give the public insight into what they do. Among their violations: failure to announce public hearings, failure to disclose private meetings, refusal to satisfy Open Public Records Act requests for information, and refusal to allow video recordings of public meetings. When citizens ask questions at Board meetings, members remain silent and defer all questions to the Executive Director, who is deliberately vague in his responses. The Executive Director also refuses to respond to phone calls, emails, and in-person inquires for information. TOMSA’s attorney allows the routine disregard of these laws and other blatant conflicts of interest, like when TOMSA’s Executive Director held both that position and a seat on the Township Committee at the same time. Likewise, the TOMSA auditor routinely attends board meetings, which calls into question the independence of his audit.

Taxpayer advocates have been trying to understand how the Township Committee and the TOMSA Board get away with their clear disregard for Middletown taxpayers. Our Township Committee has been advised of all of these taxpayer concerns but they refuse to address the matter and assail those who question them. It is time for our elected officials to break this “piggy bank” and remove the stink of patronage and secrecy from the Township Of Middletown Sewerage Authority.

WHO’S WHO AT TOMSA-

Patrick Parkinson- TOMSA Executive Director 15 years

            -Middletown mayor (2004)

            -Former Township Committeeperson

Thomas F. Stokes- TOMSA Board 24 years

            -Current Republican Committeeperson

            -Former Middletown Township Board of Education member

            -Calls in 6 meetings a year

James Hinckley- TOMSA Board 23 years

            -Current Middletown GOP, treasurer

           - Current Zoning Board chairman

Chantal Bouw- TOMSA Board 14 years

            -Current Middletown GOP, Vice Chair

            -Current Zoning Board, Vice Chair

            -Local Assistance Board

Joan Smith- TOMSA Board 7 years

            -Middletown mayor (2001)  

            -Current Republican Committeeperson

Charles W. Rogers- TOMSA Board 5 years

            -Emergency Services Manager

Emil F. Wrede- TOMSA Board 4 years (alternate)

            -Zoning Board

Anthony DeMarco- TOMSA Board 2012 (alternate)

William A. Meyler- TOMSA Auditor-

Richard C. Leahey Jr.- TOMSA Attorney – Law firm of former Township attorney Bernard Reilly

John D. Van Dorpe- TOMSA engineer/ Maser Consulting- paid roughly 7% of TOMSA annual budget

-----------------------

This post has been updated to correct erroneous information pertaining to annual salary of $2,150 for Chairperson, not Executive Director, and to include and correct other offices held by those on the "Who's Who" list at TOMSA.

OPRA – The Basics

Here is some very good information for those that may be interested in obtaining any type of records from their local government. This article is specific to Middletown but it holds true for other municipalities around the state.

  Cross posted from MiddletownDemocrat.org

by Linda Baum

New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA), effective in July 2002, is one of the best tools the public has to obtain information about what government is doing.

Middletown’s OPRA request form is available on the Township’s website, and by clicking here. The Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) has its own form, which is not available on the TOMSA website, but you can access it here. The Middletown Library currently doesn’t require an OPRA form -- an email or hand written request will do.

Though you should use an entity’s prescribed OPRA request form if they have one, not using it is not, by itself, grounds for denial. Further, there is no requirement to identify yourself – the OPRA law allows you to submit a request anonymously. Chances are, however, the office you’re dealing with will insist you use their form and state your name.

A 2010 amendment to the OPRA law reduced fees for paper copies to just 5 cents per page for letter size and 7 cents for legal, except for requests that require a great deal of time and effort to fill. The fees apply only to paper copies. There is no charge for email delivery of electronic documents, thus you can save money – also time, trees, and gasoline – by requesting an email reply to your OPRA request if an office has this capability. Note that TOMSA currently does not, so you will need to visit in person, pay, and collect your package, or get someone to do it for you.

You can drop off your request in person at the appropriate office, mail it, fax it, or email an electronic copy. Email Township requests to TownClerk@middletownnj.org or fax them to 732-957-9090. Email TOMSA requests to PParkinson@tomsanj.com or fax them to 732-495-4565. Email Library requests to WLatona@mtpl.org or fax them to 732-671-5839.

An office has 7 business days to fill your request, but may ask for additional time to do so before the 7 days have elapsed.

• Some common pitfalls that may result in an OPRA request being denied are:
• asking for “any and all” – The request must be for specific documents.
• being too specific – The document may not exist.
• asking a question – The request must be for a document.

Government offices vary in how they respond to these “pitfalls”. Use of the words “any and all” doesn’t automatically make a request improper – it depends on the scope of the request – but you would be wise to avoid the phrase because some offices will issue a rubber stamp denial.

If you feel your request has been improperly denied, you can do one of two things, but not both. Within 45 days of the denial, you can file a lawsuit in NJ superior court. Alternatively, you can file a written denial of access complaint with the NJ Government Records Council (GRC). There is no statute of limitations for filing with the GRC.

If you file a complaint with the GRC, your out-of-pocket costs are not recoverable, even if the GRC decides the claim in your favor, and I am told a decision could take a year or two given a backlog of claims. However, if you file a lawsuit and win, the entity that denied your OPRA request is required to reimburse your expenses, including your legal fees. I am told that lawsuits are typically decided in a few months.

The GRC put together a slide show presentation that provides a good summary of your rights, responsibilities, and recourses under the OPRA lawand a PDF document from the GRC containing the same information.

Good luck with your research.

Mtown Newsflash 9-7-12

Middletown Pays Tribute to 9/11 Victims


Members of the Middletown Township Committee will pay a silent tribute to the 37 residents who died in the World Trade Center tragedy with a wreath-laying at the Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, September 11th at 8:46 am. The time marks the start of the terrorist attacks 11 years ago when the first plane hit the towers.

Visitors are welcome at the Memorial Gardens from dawn to dusk. An American flag flown over the World Trade Center in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will fly at the Memorial Gardens this year. The flag was presented to Mayor Anthony P. Fiore by Governor Chris Christie.

The Memorial Gardens rest under a canopy of trees and features a landscaped path with benches and a personalized memorial for each of the 37 residents. The gardens are located next to the Middletown Arts Center at 36 Church Street. The gardens are open to the public daily.

“It is important that Middletown and our great nation take a moment to remember the World Trade Center Tragedy and pay tribute to the friends and family we lost 11 years ago. It is critical that we seize this moment to stand tall and reaffirm that we, as proud Americans, remain vigilant in the war against terror,” said Mayor Anthony P. Fiore.

Flag banners have been installed as a tribute to the September 11th victims. The flag banners are hanging on telephone poles along Kings Highway, Church Street and Middletown-Lincroft Road. The banners are sponsored by local businesses, organizations and individuals. The flag banner display, spearheaded by Mayor Fiore, became part of the township’s annual 9/11 commemoration in 2011.

In addition, a cablecast of Middletown’s memorial service held in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center Tragedy is airing on the township’s cable channel through September 11, 2012.  Residents can view the channel on Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon Fios Channel 26.  Visit www.middletownnj.org/tv to view for the program schedule.

Read more

CJBC Holds Blood Drive Tues 9-11 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.


The Central Jersey Blood Center will be hold a blood drive to pay tribute to the 9/11 victims and heroes on September 11, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome and appreciated.  To schedule an appointment, visit their website at www.cjbcblood.org. Click on Become a Blood Donor, then search for Mobile Drive by Sponsor Code. The sponsor code is 6065.  Please note that first time site visitors will need to save their profile before scheduling an appointment.

         Poster - Blood Drive

         Blood Drive FAQ  

         Blood Drive Donor Deferral

MIDDLETOWN DAY 2012 
Showcase & Craft Fair Registration Due Sept 14
www.middletownday.org
www.facebook.com/Middletownday

Middletown Day will be rain or shine held on Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Registration deadline for the Showcase and Craft Fair is September 14. Car Show registration remains open through day of show. Applications can be downloaded from the website.

Co-Gen Plant To Generate Cost Savings For Sewerage Authority


The Township Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) will be saving more than $230,000 on electric bills annually once its new co-generation plant becomes operational next year.

TOMSA has received a $1.08 million grant from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program toward construction of a co-generation facility at the wastewater treatment plant. TOMSA, an award-winning authority, will use the facility to capture and convert methane gas into electricity. Methane gas, a by-product of the wastewater treatment process, is currently flared off into the air, said TOMSA Executive Director Patrick W. Parkinson. Read More

Middletown Day Volunteers Needed 
Shifts: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 2-6 p.m.


Volunteers are needed for Middletown Day 2012. The fall festival will be held rain or shine on Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Croydon Hall. Help is needed with carnival games, and other family fun activities. A commitment of four hours is needed. Shifts are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. Civic, fraternal, community, and school groups as well as businesses are welcome and encouraged to participate. Certificates documenting community service hours are issued. Please e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Pam Brightbill at pbrightb@middletownnj.org if you or your group can lend a hand. Be sure to include which shift you’d prefer to work in the e-mail.

Laurel Avenue Closure


Laurel Avenue between Holland Road and Highway 35 is closed from 7am until 5 pm until the end of September for installation of a high pressure gas main. Residents living off of Laurel Avenue will have access to their neighborhoods. All other traffic will be re-routed. Detour signs are posted.

Save the Date!

         Sept 4-28, Chinese Brush Painting Exhibit, MAC

         Sat, Sept 8 – Scouting Skills Day, Poricy Park

         Sun, Sept 23, 4:00-7:00 p.m. – Colonial Tavern Party, Poricy Park

         Sat, Sept 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Middletown Day 2012, Croydon Hall

         Tues, Oct 19, 6-8:30 pm – Zany Zombie Bash – MAC (family-friendly)

         Sat, Oct 26 – Halloween Hullabaloo, Poricy Park

         Fri, Nov 16 – Soccer Shoot-Out

         Sat, Dec 1 – 4th annual Dodgeball Tournament & Toy Drive – TKCC

         Sat, Dec 1 – 9th Annual Trail Run/Walk – Poricy Park

         Sat, Dec 2 – Holiday Tree Lighting

         Sat Dec 8 – Holiday Train Ride

         1st & 3rd Monday of each month – Mayor’s Office Hours, Town Hall (except 9/3)

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Middletown Township Sewerage Authority Meeting 6/14/12

Here is a video recording of the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority(TOMSA) meeting that was held on June 14, 2012. The meeting lasted 45 minutes and a number of items were quickly covered.

Due to issues with my internet connect the past couple of days, I haven't watched the whole video but I've seen enough to get an idea of what was discussed; A few items about infrastructure upgrades, the new ice hockey rink being built at the Swim Club and some cost issues.

It would be nice if TOMSA published a meeting agenda online like the Township Committee does so it would be easier to follow along or know what is being discussed unfortunately though, they don't.

Nevertheless, this meeting video is still interesting and worthwhile to watch, it lets you see how some of your tax dollars are being spent.

You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up...

I was on the phone earlier today with MiddletownMike contributor Linda Baum, who relayed to me a very funny story about her experience while picking up a packet of information today from the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA).

Linda went to TOMSA today to pick up documents that she requested through an OPRA request. Before leaving she looked through the packet to see if all the information she had requested was in the packet. While leafing through the packet she had a few questions and thought that she should ask them before she left.

Now of course, asking a question of anyone other than TOMSA Director Patrick Parkinson is against the rules, no one accept Parkinson is allowed to talk to anyone. But seeing how Linda Baum was the one asking the questions, Parkinson refused to come out of his office until he had had enough of her hanging around the hallways. At that point, he came out and told her to leave and that he called the police to escort her out.

When the police arrived Parkinson made a big scene and told them that she had been there for 30 minutes disturbing the workers with questions and taking them away from their duties. Linda's response was to this was classic and dumbfounded Mr. Parkinson.

She said that she had only one question and seeing that he is the official records keeper of TOMSA and is the only one authorized to speak about such things, she would have been out of the building 29 minutes earlier if only he would have simply answered her question in the first place (which by the way she never received).

The police did arrive but I don't want to tell you everything, Linda said she would send an accounting of her time at TOMSA today for posting later.

I just wanted to give readers a little heads-up of what's coming and I am sure that Linda will tell it a lot better (and more accurately) than what I have posted here, so check back later.