Kastning investigation report due in early Jan.
Mayor offers apology, but outgoing official
calls it empty & political
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — Everyone was charmed when Genna Pinhas, 5, sang "God Bless America" to the Township Committee and other attendees during its final meeting of the year last week.
But the ongoing investigation of outgoing Committeeman William Kastning still loomed over the proceedings. The investigation involves the committeeman’s role in failed negotiations with a township resident who wanted to donate land through the Millstone Open Space Trust (MOST), a private entity
Summing up his first year as mayor, Evan Maltz said it had been very time consuming. He enjoyed most of it, but some of it was not good, he said, especially events concerning the allegations against Kastning.
"Personally, I apologize to Bill Kastning for this," he said.
Kastning said after the committee meeting that he did not understand exactly what Maltz was apologizing for. "It’s an empty apology, purely political and has no substance." he said. "It remains to be seen what the investigator’s report shows."
According to Maltz, the attorney pursuing the special investigation was to complete his interviews last Friday. "I told him I want the report by the second week of January, and I want it made public along with his bills," Maltz said later.
Later in the week, the mayor also elaborated on his apology, saying, "I think, as a team, the five of us [on the committee] could have worked together fantastically, if not for the allegations."
He added that as far as he was concerned, the special investigation was not an attack on Kastning.
"I think Bill is the best committeeman Millstone has had," he said, "but because of the investigation, a wall went up between him and the rest of the committee."
Maltz believed at the time the investigation was approved, in September 2000, that it would protect Kastning.
"We were advised that even if the [Monmouth County] Prosecutor’s Office exonerated him, there was a sense that it could be interpreted as politically motivated because the prosecutor is Republican and so is Kastning," he explained.
The private investigation and the Prosecutor’s Office investigation began at the same time, but the county investigation was closed almost a year ago, in January, The Prosecutor’s Office cleared Kastning of any wrongdoing in connection with the failed land deal.
Maltz agreed to the private investigation because he thought it would take the politics out of the prosecutor’s investigation, he said. He also was concerned about a lack of communication between the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council and the Township Committee.
"We had never heard about this property being offered to the township," he said. "The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council made a decision not to pursue a piece of land that was being given to the town."
Maltz went on to say he believes the private investigation, being handled by the law firm of Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, Woodbridge, will be good for the township because volunteers who are sitting on township boards and committees will learn to understand the importance of relaying information they gather to Township Committee.
"It’s of vital importance that the township committee is in the loop from the very beginning," he said.
All of the committeemen had end-of-the-year comments.
Deputy Mayor Cory Wingerter explained that the committee had just passed its 44th ordinance and added that many ordinances were initiated or strengthened during the past year. One of the first was a strengthened code of ethics ordinance, he said. He also cited the creation of the Veterans Council, which has led to the planned Millstone Veterans Memorial monument. In addition he mentioned the cable contract, a top-soil ordinance and a time-of-completion ordinance that set limits on how long developers can take.
He also welcomed Committeeman-elect John Pfefferkorn, who will be sworn in Jan. 2 to Kastning’s seat. "It’s well known that I didn’t support you," Wingerter said, adding that they will work together as part of a team.
Committeeman William Nurko said he was pleased that under Mayor Maltz, meetings had started more or less on time and ended at a reasonable hour. "I know how much time he put into being mayor," Nurko said.
He also welcomed Pfefferkorn, saying, "We’re all working for the betterment of Millstone. We’re all on the same team and have a common goal."
Committeeman Charles Abate spoke about future plans like the renovations at the Clarksburg School and Internet access with Cablevision, which, he said, will be available very soon.
The 28-year committee veteran also told Pfefferkorn he has worked with many new committeemen and doesn’t anticipate any problem working with him.
Kastning, who did not seek re-election, said it has been a "bittersweet" three years for him, but overall, it was worthwhile.
In closing, Maltz advised Pfefferkorn to put another phone line in his house, because once his number becomes known, he will be inundated with phone calls.