Tonight's Council Meeting will include but not limited to the following Resolutions:Resolution authorizing the hiring of part time Summer Recreation Canoe Rentals.
Resolution to appoint Jason Gallo as Lieutenant Matawan Police Department.
Resolution to appoint James M. Alston as Chief of Police, Matawan Police Department.
Resolution appointing Madeline Scalzo as Deputy Court Administrator part time.
There should not be any problem with any of these resolutions being passed by the Council.
We wish all of the appointees the best of luck and success in their new positions.
Hope to see you at the meeting.....
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June 7, 2008
Matawan issues Menna explanation
Council lists reasons why it parted with borough attorney
By SAMETTA M. THOMPSON
KEYPORT BUREAU
The majority Democrats on the Borough Council say they decided not to reappoint Pasquale "Pat" Menna, also a Democrat, as borough attorney because they were dissatisfied with his work.
The Democrats released a one-page statement Thursday night explaining their decision. It comes weeks after council members continuously declined to answer residents' questions about the dismissal of Menna, who is the mayor of Red Bank and who has served as Matawan borough attorney for two years.
"We were quite concerned about the lack of adequate representation we were receiving from the prior borough attorney," reads the statement signed by Councilmen Joseph "Bud" Mullaney, Kevin Mendes, Michael Cannon, Robert Bunyon and William Malley.
"We did not feel that things were getting done and questions answered in a timely and proper manner, and we were not confident that the borough's interests were best being represented, so we were very much in support of a change in borough attorney," it says.
Menna said Friday that if things were not getting done, it was because the borough's leaders were not providing a clear direction for him to follow. He also said the council didn't articulate their concerns to him.
"They have every right to change counsel and everyone respects that right," said Menna, adding that municipal attorneys make recommendations but the council members make the final decisions on issues. "It was a political decision."
The council voted 5-1 in April not to retain Menna, who was the choice of Republican Mayor Paul Buccellato. Linda Clifton, a Republican, was the lone dissenting vote.
The statement also contends that Menna's rates were too high "for a municipality that is extremely conscious of each and every dollar expended. . . ."
James G. Aaron of the Ocean Township firm of Ansell, Zaro, Grimm & Aaron was named borough attorney by the council May 20.
Aaron also serves as the city attorney in Long Branch and as the redevelopment attorney in litigation matters for Asbury Park. He will be compensated $18,000 annually, or $1,500 a month, for appearances at all workshops, executive sessions and regular public meetings. His hourly rate is $115.
Aaron's firm agreed to perform services for an hourly rate of $35 less per hour than Menna, and $22,000 a year less than Menna's fee of $40,000 a year, states the letter.
Last month, Borough Clerk Jean Montfort said Menna's rates were the same rates past borough attorneys had been charging the town, and that Menna had dropped his rates to reflect the same figures as Aaron's firm.
Overall, the borough has benefited and will continue to benefit from the appointment of Aaron in terms of professional services and the cost savings, the statement says.
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Lies, lies, lies. Due to public outcry, the Democrats on Council had to say something. More to follow on this issue.
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