Upper Freehold Township’s attorney and mayor attempted to prevent residents from speaking about the possible sale of Cream Ridge Golf Club.
By: Dana Lynn Flatekval
UPPER FREEHOLD In a packed room at the municipal building, tempers flared when the township’s attorney and mayor tried to stop residents during a public comment period from speaking about a revelation that a committeeman plans to possibly sell his golf course for development.
At the Dec. 16 Township Committee meeting, some residents wished to address news reports that Committeeman Bill Miscoski is looking into selling the Cream Ridge Golf Club on Route 539 to developers, donating a portion of the land to the Upper Freehold Regional School District for the new middle school with the remainder rezoned for age-restricted housing and a sewage treatment plant.
However, residents were asked by Township Attorney Granville McGee and Mayor John Mele not to make comments on the topic and were limited only to matters before the governing body or on the agenda. The restrictions were announced while the first audience speaker, Sue Kozel of Jonathan Holmes Road, was addressing reports of the land deal.
"Public comment may occur on government issues," Mr. McGee said. "Normally, that is what’s pending before this governing body."
Mayor Mele said he felt it was not appropriate to speak about a particular committeeman.
"No names of committeemen will be mentioned," Mayor Mele said to the audience. "These are very tough issues and we are not knowledgeable on them yet.
"Mr. Miscoski has issues he needs to address," Mayor Mele said. "He is a private citizen, has a family and he needs to do what he has to do. This could get a lot worse and this is not our subject to discuss."
Ms. Kozel, a regular and vocal attendee of the meetings, was angered by the attorney’s and mayor’s request because she believed she had a right as part of the public comment period to discuss any issue.
"The attorneys did not object to any comments I made in the past when I raised issues of 6-acre zoning, conflicts of interest in 2003, often twice a month during the spring, the status of the Environmental Commission and tree ordinances," she said. "Those were made often when the matters were not scheduled for discussion."
Ms. Kozel asked Mr. Miscoski to explain the impact his negotiations and discussion with a developer would have on his call for a moratorium on development for large landowners at a 6-acre zoning meeting in October, his refusal to support high lot size zoning and his waiting after the election to announce his plans for his property.
"You were the one reason why we stopped thinking about zoning," Ms. Kozel said at the meeting. "That move made so many people upset and this is probably the worst move.
"Had you said this before the election you would not be here," she said.
The restrictions ultimately had little effect on the residents and an additional nine approached the microphone to address the same subject. Mayor Mele said Tuesday that Ms. Kozel summed up probably the feelings of most residents with a "focused statement."
"I have some of the same questions," Mayor Mele said. "In my personal opinion I find it appalling that for a year and a half he helped stall discussions on zoning, but now he is asking for something special."
The mayor said the public portion of the meeting gives residents an opportunity to address any concerns.
Regarding the decision to limit the public comment period, he said, "Our attorney serves to protect the township and the committee and he thought it fit to see that the meeting was controlled. You could tell by the full house that this issue was going to be a hot topic and most of the people there were probably going to make the same comments.
"It was a very tough call," he said. "But, I think we made the right decision."
During the privilege of the committee portion of the meeting, Mr. Miscoski said he has a family to think about.
"We would like to preserve the land, but we have been made no offers," he said at the meeting. "We’ve signed no deal (with the county for open space preservation)." Mr. Miscoski said Tuesday he didn’t respond to any particular comments during the Township Committee meeting because he didn’t want to "stoop to their level."
He said several people have called him privately and he has explained his position. He said people understand and some even say it is a good idea.
"I am very disappointed in the way some people acted that night," Mr. Miscoski said. "There can be a discussion and a way to do it without just coming in and berating people."

