Matawan appointments denied, again
by ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, May 8
Posted:05/09/08

The Democrats on the Matawan Council were unable to nominate or vote on professional appointments during its meeting on Tuesday, May 6.

The five Democratic councilmen had voted against some of Republican Mayor Paul Buccellato’s professional appointments during the April 1 meeting. The group had 30 days to produce people to fill those appointments.

The appointment recommendations were “dropped in the clerk’s lap” on Thursday, May 1, according to Buccellato. He said he would not allow a vote on the appointment resolutions since no certification of funds had been obtained.

Buccellato also suggested appointing a borough attorney first so he would look over the other contracts. Former Borough Attorney Pasquale Menna was told not to “show up or do work,” Buccellato said.

The appointments included borough attorney as Jerald Zaro of Ansel Zaro Grimm & Aaro, Ocean; labor attorney as Scott C. Arnette of The Arnette Law Firm, LLC, Shrewsbury; and borough planner as Joseph J. Layton of Maser Consulting, Red Bank.

Two appointments were added: environmental and redevelopment attorneys. Wanda Chin Monahan of McManimon & Scotland, LLC, Newark, was recommended for environmental attorney. William W. Northgrave of McManimon & Scotland, LLC, was suggested for redevelopment attorney.

After questions regarding the additional positions, borough officials explained that the additional positions would only be paid if their services were needed.

“God forbid we had an environmental issue in town, we would have an attorney in place,” Councilman Joseph “Bud” Mullaney explained.

The appointment of at least the borough attorney is expected for the council’s next meeting on Monday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Matawan Municipal and Community Center, 201 Broad Street.


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