repeated questioning amounts to harassment
Deputy mayor says that
repeated questioning amounts to harassment
By jane meggitt
Staff Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — In response to questions by some residents, members of the Planning Board declared that they were not members of the United Landowners of Upper Freehold at last week’s master plan hearing.
In a vote that split 5-4 at the hearing, the board decided against raising the minimum lot size in certain residential zones from 2 to 4 acres.
Resident Sue Kozel and her husband, Chris Berzinski, had accused Planning Board members of a conflict of interest regarding the master plan hearings for the past several months, and have often asked Planning Board members to state whether or not they are members of the United Landowners.
The United Landowners had lobbied against the zoning change on the grounds that large landowners, many of them farmers, would lose equity in their land if the minimum size of a lot was increased.
Alternate board member J. David Holmes had previously acknowledged his membership in the United Landowners and recused himself from the master plan hearings. Board members Dianne Kelley, James Search and Deputy Mayor William Miscoski had previously stated they were not members of the United Landowners.
At the public hearing last week, Berzinski threatened to charge those who did not answer his question under New Jersey’s Local Government Ethics Law, saying, "We can go to court and seek a declaratory judgment vacating all of your votes on the master plan."
In response, Miscoski stated, "The integrity of this board is beyond reproach. They’re not thinking about what is good for their pocket or their family. They’re good people who have been harassed. We’ve been accused unfairly, berated and harassed in a very unprofessional manner."
He added that board members had not answered the question about United Landowners membership earlier for "one reason and one reason only — it’s a travesty the way we’ve been spoken to on this issue."
Mayor David Horsnall said, "The subject is very discomforting. When I was growing up, you didn’t have to go to court and swear on a Bible; your word was good. I took the oath of office," swearing that he would faithfully impart his duties.
Planning Board Attorney Frank Armenante said, "I was not aware that these statements [denial of United Landowners involvement] would be made. Issues of conflicts of interest are issues of laws. This is the master plan, not an application. There is no case law in the state of New Jersey which has overruled a township regarding its master pan."
He added, "I hope these statements make the public feel better."
Board member Ivan Olinsky commented that legal counsel had already advised members that if they felt they had any conflict, they should make it known and recuse themselves from the hearings.