Rules questioned
Jim Cann and Jill Popko, Bordentown Township Committee members
We are writing to share with residents our concern about procedural rules voted into place by the ruling majority of the Bordentown Township Committee, Mayor Karl Feltes and Committeepersons Michael Dauber and Anita DiMattia. We believe these policies are intended to control the flow of information to residents and limit the participation of other Committee members, as well as the public. Although there are others, these are the two policies we find most at odds with open government:
1. Discussion of any issue coming before the Township Committee will be limited to 4 minutes per committee member for a total of 20 minutes; no matter how complex or crucial the issue may be to residents (Members of the public are allotted 5 minutes). Twenty minutes…about the same amount of time it takes to pick out a birthday card. If an issue can be fully vetted in 20 minutes, that is fine, but if a matter needs more time and deliberation than that, we should not be constrained by an arbitrary time limit, especially one that has been selectively enforced in the recent past. This rule is most disturbing when you consider the fact that the mayor has the authority to end debate by simply using his gavel. This rule is simply meant to stop unwanted or uncomfortable debate for the party in control.
2. More troubling is the decision to conduct some voting via e-mail prior to the Township Committee meeting. Although our township attorney, appointed by the ruling majority, has advised that this procedure is legal in Bordentown Township, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office has already decided that it was a violation of the Sunshine Act when other municipalities have attempted to do the same.
These policies create distrust in our elected officials and foster suspicions that decisions are being made behind closed doors. Our residents have a right to know that we are conducting Township business in a fair, open, and ethical manner. We urge Mayor Feltes, Mr. Dauber, and Ms. DiMattia to reconsider their position on these policies.