Mayor Buccellato Drops a Bomb

Last night's Borough Council meeting was somewhat routine.

Mayor Buccellato announced a generous donation of $1,000. to the July 4th Fireworks Fund, given by Matawan residents, Jim & Donna Tumbutly, (pls forgive if misspelled.) Matawan's Fire Department also collected $108. made by visitors in the donation pail. Kudos to these fine residents and the Fire Dept for their efforts. The Fireworks were glorious!

So now you are wondering what bomb could the Mayor have dropped last night. Do you all recall an Ordinance mentioned several months ago, prohibiting elected officials in the Borough from performing work for the Borough? It had been an item Councilman Joseph "Bud" Mullaney was calling for back in March 2008. Under the guise of bringing "good clean government" to Matawan. HA! At that time we applauded Councilman Mullaney for his efforts. Short lived, perhaps. No, short lived, definitely! Several months ago this Ordinance was on the Agenda, then mysteriously was taken off. Without explanation from the Mayor and Council this was done several times. Now this became a pet peeve of ours. After all, who doesn't want Matawan to have "good clean government." It appears that Councilman Mullaney had a change of heart and hired an attorney to stop this Ordinance from coming before the Council for a vote. The implication was a lawsuit would be brought against Matawan. All this from a Councilman who back in March of 2008, was citing Holmdel's Ordinance and was going to look to surrounding towns for guidance.

Mayor Buccellato announced from the dais that he has requested the Attorney General look into this matter on behalf of Matawan to protect the Borough. This has to be a case of "THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY." A Councilman threatening the Borough residents (he was elected to protect and serve) with a possible lawsuit in order for Council members to financially profit from their position.

A resident stepped up to the podium and read from Mullaney's interview back in March 2008 given to a local blogger, The Clamdigger. Quotes were read from Councilman Mullaney which clearly contradict his current position. What could have changed his mind, you ask? Well, gee whiz Goober, whose interest is Councilman Bud Mullaney looking to protect? It is our position it is not Matawans! And this Councilman is running for re-election this November. You be the judge in November!

For the record, the opinions on this Blog are based on documented evidence. You have the right to disagree. However, the printed, published commentary are based on printed, published interviews given by Councilman Joseph "Bud" Mullaney to The Clamdigger in March 2008.

Hope to see you at the next Council meeting.....

Follow Up to Borough Council Meeting

Last night's Council meeting was an exercise in learning how the Council spends your tax dollars and wastes time.

Recreation - Following months in review by the Recreation Commission with no input, following much time being wasted in discussion(which should have been spent on more pressing matters) it was the decision of Councilman Bunyon, Chairman of the Recreation Commission (or was it Councilman Mullaney) to vote no to adopting the Resolution. Are you kidding me? This was the stupidest, biggest waste of time we have ever heard. Why would Councilman Bunyon, who after months of pushing to get this to a vote would he vote NO. We did noticed Councilman Mullaney spoke to Bunyon prior to the vote. Well let's see who else voted NO, Councilman Mullaney, Councilman Mendes and Councilman Malley. It's called POLITICS. Bunyon is running for election this Nov. You remember he got the lowest number of votes and was appointed to the position of Councilman. Who is the big contributor to Matawan's Democratic Party.....Vic Scudiery.

Let's look a little further who is on the Recreation Commission. Councilman Bunyon, Councilman Malley, Councilman Mullaney, Councilman Mullaney's son, Michael Mullaney, Councilman Mullaney's wife, Mary Mullaney, Pat Coleman and the new Recreation Director. It has become obvious that the Mullaney's run the Recreation Commission. It is apparent Councilman Mullaney tries to run every Commission, excluding Finance. There is no glory in finance,,,,you can't spend money in that Commission.....you have to look for money.


Mayor's Report - Mayor Buccellato instructed the Borough Administrator, Fred Carr, to ask all Borough Departments to cut 10% from their respective budgets. As the Borough has already spent 74% of its Budget so far this year. We are confused, is the Borough in financial difficulty or is Councilman Cannon's assessment that all will be fine correct? Are we being misled? Time will tell. As Councilman Cannon has stated, in Nov. will there be any line items to be shifted to cover the deficit?

The Mayor directed the Borough Attorney, Mr. Aaron, for the 4th time to instruct the Council on the correct procedures to spend Borough funds. A member of the Council , without authorization, incurred two invoices for Gravelly Brook Park work. This is outrageous! Are there no consequences for this unauthorized spending? Guess not! After all didn't Aufseeser act without the authority or consent of the Council last year and spend Borough money. It must be a Democrat thing. We think they walk around Borough Hall saying, "we don't need no stinkin' consent!" Even though the Democrats have the majority, they should NOT be allowed to incur bills on behalf of the taxpayers without the knowledge and consent of the Council. This is a democracy. Even the audience members know by now what the procedures are for spending Borough funds. More to follow on these invoices at the next Council meeting.

Police Department - Authorization to purchase a new Police vehicle was given. Discussion followed about purchasing another Police vehicle. Councilman Mullaney stated his position is that we need another Police vehicle as it is a safety issue. At one point he demanded an emergency meeting to purchase the 2nd vehicle. Following a call to the C.F.O. it was decided to hold off the purchase of the second vehicle until insurance money would become available in about 30 days. After scaring audience members by his safety statement, Mullaney backed down when it was stated THERE WAS NO MONEY and therefore, no reason for an emergency meeting. He should think before he speaks.

The employment contracts for Chief Alston, Lt. Gallo and Lt. Smith were signed.

The invoices for the Police Dept. new computers were authorized to be paid.

Maser Consulting - All Resolutions authorizing engineering/surveying work to be done were passed by the Council. We do seem to have money for engineering/surveying work. Oh wait, is that using the Bonding money? We find it amusing that they throw the words "Bond Money" around like it is free money.

2007-2008 Road Program - No surprise, the Council voted to proceed with advertising for bids. Well we will be paying for this increeased Road Program through BONDING .

Yes, we are seeing improvements to Matawan infrastructure, our Police Department have new cars, new computers and that is a positive. January 2009 will be Matawan's defining moment. Will we be able to pay the increased property taxes or will Matawan become a place that used to be affordable? What are we kidding...we can barely afford the taxes now.

Council Meeting Update 7-15-08

The Borough Council meetings are becoming more political posturing and less dealing with the Budget issues facing the Borough. It appears that a certain Councilman is busy running for office at each meeting. Apparently, he is the spokesperson for the party at meetings and is being fed his script by another Councilman. Ironically no one has criticized his actions which are apparent to all. Even with a short agenda, this is one reason for the meetings to run late.

Budget Deficit- In an effort to close the barn door after the horse got out, the Council voted for a 4-day work week to be reviewed in September. The entire matter caused much posturing by the Council.

Councilman Malley suggested the Borough employees contribute to their health benefits. While an interesting idea, how do you get employees to give up what they already have in paid benefits? As Councilman Malley is a member of a Union, this sounds funny coming from him. It didn't work with the School Teachers, did it? To the best of our knowledge the Personnel Committee still has two unsigned employee contracts. Perhaps they should concentrate on concluding the contract negotiations before taking away benefits from other workers. Councilman Malley, Councilman Mullaney and Councilman Cannon are the Personnel Committee.

Councilman Mullaney suggested looking into solar power as a way to cut down expenses. Good long term idea. Can we afford to consider this idea at this time?

Matawan needs budget cuts NOW. We also need a plan for the Budget 2009 so as not to repeat the mistake of last years ineffective Budget.

There was no mention of renovating the Police Department Building at 150 Main Street. With no money in the budget, it is no surprise. Although there was mention of a mandatory alarm system, the Mayor asked the Council to take some action and the Council decided to do nothing at this time.

Transit Village - It's a go! Providing Silver Oaks doesn't take the decision to the NJ Supreme Court in 20 days. According to the Borough Attorney, Silver Oaks has 20 days to appeal. Only 5% of case appeals get to the Supreme Court. We can't help but wonder about those people who spread rumors about local council members ethics and how stupid those rumor mongers look now. Not one Court, but two decisions were reached in Matawan's favor.

Councilman Bunyon gave a brief description of the Silver Oaks v. Matawan case. He also mentioned the success of the July 4th fireworks. Bunyon also stated that as he went around the site people were telling him how it was the best fireworks in years. Kudos to Elizabeth Aguilar, Recreation Director, and her staff for a wonderful event.

Financial Aid - Trenton finally got the message from Sen. Joe Kyrillos, Assemblyman Sam Thompson, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, Mayor Paul Buccellato and all the residents who wrote letters to Gov. Corzine. Matawan was given $200,000 in discretionary aid.

Sharkfest - On Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 5pm to 10pm, there will be a Sharkfest. Hope you all enjoy it, as your tax dollars are subsidizing the Matawan Alliance. The Council decided to go against the Special Events Committee's recommendation that the cost for Sharkfest be borne by the Matawan Alliance. Ironically, the Matawan Alliance claimed they would pay all expenses incurred by the Borough .This is where it gets good......BUT, Councilman Malley and Councilman Mullaney decided the taxpayers should pay the expenses. Of course, Councilman Mullaney and his wife are members of the Matawan Alliance. Mrs. Mullaney, on behalf of the Matawan Alliance, actually got up and thanked Councilman Malley and the Council for paying the expenses. Now this sounded like a well orchestrated move. First, Ms. Renata Bonelli, of the Matawan Alliance comes and makes an appeal to the Council, claiming they would pay all fees, then the two Council members decide it should be at taxpayers expense, then the wife of a Council member thanks the Council. Need we mention that no one outside of the Matawan Alliance has been shown their books. Once again the taxpayers have been hoodwinked. If the majority of taxpayers don't mind footing the bill for Sharkfest, then so be it, if not remember which of the Council members voted to spend your tax dollars at election time. That is what a democracy is all about.

As a side note: The Matawan Alliance is a New Jersey non-profit Corporation. It is not recognized as an IRS non profit corporation. Before contributing, please be guided accordingly.

Public Forum - A local Contractor, who does not live in Matawan, but does own buildings and works in Matawan spoke about the difficulties he has encountered in the Borough. Stating he improves the buildings in the Downtown area and works hard. It was mentioned by Councilman Mullaney that this Contractor donated concrete work for the Jackson St. Park in the amount of $12,000. which we believe is an exaggerated amount. No fault of Councilman Mullaney, as he is not a Contractor. Councilman Mullaney applauded the generousity of the Contractor. Members of the public also applauded his donation.

Several residents spoke at the meeting. However, one resident was treated rudely and was disrespected by one of the Councilmen. This wasn't the first time residents have been treated poorly simply for asking questions or disagreeing with the Council. Has this Councilman/President of the Council no ethics? What a poor example for Matawan's junior Council members. If the Council would have answered the question the first time it was asked, this whole matter would not have transpired. Or more than likely it would have. It is the right of every resident to question, without ridicule, the elected officials. In the words of former President Harry S. Truman, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Hope to see you at the next meeting.....