Council’s Transparency Questioned

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – Accu - sations of ethics violations, breaches of transparency and exclusion of important communication to fellow council members were all part of heated exchanges at the latest meeting of the Township Council.

Residents questioned a variety of subjects, one of which was an attempt to appoint former Planning Board Chairman Bob Hudak to the Zoning Board.

Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn noted resolution 278-23 which was for Hudak’s appointment. “This is yet another example of lack of transparency from (Council - See Page 5)

– The Township School District is coping with the loss of a dozen members of their staff and that is expected to result in student scheduling challenges and increased class sizes. At the center of the problem is the state’s new funding formula that has reduced aid to several suburban districts such as this. Residents came out to a recent Board of Education meeting to learn what the impact would be.

Bernard Bahnam asked board members whether they had the right legal guidance and if they were looking closely at a recent legal case which restored some state aid funding to Lakewood Township’s school district.

“Lakewood just went through this lawsuit of

$100 million that took them eight years. It was started by a teacher, a law professor at Rutgers and they found this section about adequate funding. Lakewood went through this whole process of not having adequate funding and they made it easy for all other towns that are having financial problems to sue,” he added.

“I don’t know if it is the best way to go but it is definitely an option you guys should look into,” Bahnam said. “With a district that is losing teachers and a case so big that is going on if your (law) firm isn’t informing the Board of what is going on that could potentially save our teachers and keep the classrooms small.”

Another resident asked about the Board adding a liaison to communicate with the Township

(Staff - See Page 4)

Former Superintendent Mourned

By Bob Vosseller

PLUMSTED – Township officials, Board of Education members, parents and former students are noting the loss of former School Superintendent Dr. Gerald Woehr. Dr.

Marlton and he died on June 30, at the age of 72. He served the school district for many years before retiring more than a decade ago. He was a beloved figure to members of the school (Mourned - See Page 4)

Bee Queen:

Continued From Page 1 look at pollinators under the microscope. “I was honored to discuss my science research on Varroa mites and thymol-based essential oils with Secretary of Agriculture, Doug Fisher, Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, and Paul Hlubik from the Department of Agriculture,” she said. “Jeff Burd and Angela Juffey from NJ Beekeepers Association and Dr. Brian Schilling from Rutgers also accompanied me on the day’s events. Our State Apiarist, Meghan McConnell, and

Staff:

Continued From Page 1

Committee. It was noted during the meeting that “volume makes a difference. En masse and repeatedly” when it came to e-mails, letters and phone calls to lawmakers and the governor’s office to get the funding formula fixed.

According to Township Clerk Jennifer Witham, there are two Township Committee liaisons to the BOE. Former BOE member, Deputy Mayor Herb Marinari is one, along with Committeeman Michael Hammerstone. Mayor Robert Bowen also keeps in touch with school district on a regular basis and Witham is also in frequent contact with them.

Adopted Budget

In May, the Board adopted its 2023-

Mourned:

Continued From Page 1 administration, teachers, support staff, and Board of Education.

He is noted for having advanced the district into a top-rated school system not only in Ocean County, but throughout the state. One resident described him on social media that “if you were fortunate enough to have known ‘Jerry,’ we are certain you too share in this devastating loss to our community. May he rest in peace.”

The school district’s elementary school on Main Street was renamed after him following his retirement. This summer’s fireworks display, scheduled for Saturday, July 8, will be dedicated in his memory.

Ashley Kerr from the Farm Bureau also stopped by.”

Culbert and Abegg have another honey harvest for 4-H teens on August 16, which is National Honey Bee Day.

The honey bee population is threatened by climate change and Varroa mites, the leading killer of honey bees. Her ongoing study is to develop a way to predict Colony Collapse Disorder.

The recognition she’s been getting is twofold. Agriculturists appreciate both the scientific method she is using to solve a problem – the decline of hives – and the way she is teaching

24 school budget which included an annual increase of $209 on the average household. This represents a monthly tax increase of $17.42 based on the average home assessed at $281,705.

The school tax this year was $4,750 while next year’s is $4,959.

The tax levy’s general fund this year was $12,699,562 while next year’s levy is $13,253,553. The debt service for this year was $525,843, and next year is $526,200.

The total budget increased from this year’s $13,225,405 to next year’s $13,779,753.

Next year’s spending plan also saw a 12.5 reduction in staff which included two guidance counselors, a security guard, three elementary school teachers in first, second and third grades, a math teacher, an ELA, technology, education,

Along with being a gifted superintendent who had a proven ability to work and communicate with those within the school district, he also worked well with the community and he wasn’t afraid to also have some fun with students.

During the annual Halloween Parades organized by the school district that would close off a portion of Main Street New Egypt, he was seen at the forefront of the parade often wearing an outlandish costume ranging from Snow White to a pirate or any number of humorous characters.

Dr. Woehr also guided the school district through a transition of ending its sending district relationship with Upper Freehold Regional School District. High school students in Plumsted for many years were sent to Allentown High School but it was during the public about the problem. She created the 4-H Busy Bees Beekeeping Club.

Recently, she had a 2,500-square-foot pollinator garden installed at Jake’s Branch County Park in Beachwood. It’s located on the plant discovery trail. Another is outside the nature center. Visitors can see it from inside.

Natalie Duddridge from CBS 2 NY visited the Jakes Branch hives.

“She suited up and accompanied me on a hive inspection,” Culbert said. “We were fortunate enough to find the queen on my first try. It was such an incredible opportunity to talk about and provide some insight art, physical education and music and 0.5 media center para professional.

The budget’s projected state aid shortfall is $300,445 while its projected fund balance shortfall is $1,346,064. The projected Coronavirus Relief Funds shortfall totals at $776,000 and the projected budget shortfall for 2024-2025 is $2,422,509.

Many members of the public were present during the May board meeting supporting tenured teachers who had been slated for a reduction in force.

Contracts Approved

Among the finance motions passed during the June meeting was a professional services contract with Stein & Supsie, to provide legal services as the district’s attorney from July 1 through June 30, 2024.

The contract is anticipated to exceed $17,500 and rates for the contract term are: his watch in the late 1990s that the school’s middle school building at 117 Evergreen Road was converted to become the district’s first high school and an addition was built to accommodate middle school students. According to his obituary he leaves behind his wife Susan Woehr, and children Jacquelyn Maddren (Tom) and Christian E. Woehr (Amy). He was a devoted grandfather of Christian A. and Julianna M. Woehr.

Deputy Mayor Herb Marinari, who served previously on the school board for many years, was saddened to learn of Woehr’s death. They considered each other as brothers. “It was very sudden and it is still hard to believe and comprehend,” he told The Jackson Times

“Clearly he was the foundation in every- into nature’s most important pollinator!”

She also did a live interview at NJ12 studios with Lauren Due about honey bees, the industry, native plants and more.

She’s also spending six weeks at the Research Science Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She will be one of the 100 students invited to MIT for a summer science and engineering program that combines course work with hands-on research. She encourages interested people to follow her progress on Instagram at KT.Bees and youtube.com/channel/UC1VTjvnWwdJQMSHG2H18FpA partner - $150 /hour; associate - $150 per hour; paralegal - $75 per hour and secretarial - $40 per hour.

Also approved was a professional services contract with Holman Frenia Allison, to provide auditing services from July 1 through June 30, 2024, in a contract that is anticipated to exceed $17,500.

Primary School Change

The school district also includes the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School located at 44 North Main Street. The newest school building was the Primary School which housed pre-kindergarten students and elementary school students when it opened.

It currently serves as the Board of Education office. Board member Kelly Morgan said there is some consideration to leasing it to a medical firm.

thing early on in Plumsted Township education. He took something small and made it big. He was a good person who worked with many good administrators and many good teachers. He worked well with the Board of Education,” Marinari said.

He recalled that Woehr was a principal prior to becoming superintendent and that like him, was a graduate of Temple University. He also recalled Woehr’s wonderful rapport with students including Read Across America Day where he would read Dr. Seuss books to the students.

“He was a very giving person and he will be missed by many,” Marinari said.

The school district webpage noted his passing stating, “Remembering and honoring Dr. Gerald H. Woehr at this sad time. You were an inspiration to us all.”

Council:

Continued From Page 1 certain council members.” She stated that there was a lack of communication by Council President Steve Chisholm, and Councilmen Nino Borrelli and Martin Flemming toward her and Councilman Scott Sargent.

Although all members of the governing body are Republicans, there is a divide. Kuhn and Sargent are on one side with the mayor, while the other three council members are on the other side.

Kuhn criticized that faction for adding a late addition on the agenda to appoint Hudak, one of their political allies, without sufficient notice and following proper procedure.

Sargent vowed during the meeting that going forward, he would “leave no stone unturned” concerning any questionable actions of the rival side. “If there is an issue, I’m bringing it up publicly. We can’t continue this way,” Sargent remarked.

Kuhn said transparency needs to be an open flow of information between the government and the public. “It involves disclosure, details about politics, decisions and actions.” She said she and Sargent hadn’t received copies of leadership forms that involved the background of individuals seeking membership on committees and commissions.

Sargent noted during the meeting that

“as a group we don’t have to be friends, but we can be friendly with each other and work together.”

Kuhn and Sargent said they were unaware that Hudak was a contender for a spot on the Zoning Board. Zoning members are appointed by the Council while Mayor Michael Reina selects members for the Planning Board.

It was revealed during the meeting that Hudak hadn’t actually submitted a formal application to the board; instead, a prior leadership form was used - his planning board application from several years ago. Hudak previously served as chair of the planning board.

Kuhn asked, “why are we not being given the same information others are given? This is another case of back door antics and blindsiding myself and Councilman Sargent.”

“Blindsided” is how Kuhn described the announcement two meetings back when Flemming said he was stepping down as council president and nominated Chisholm to replace him. She said that the matter should have been brought up during that evening’s executive session prior to the public meeting.

She made a motion to table Hudak’s appointment due to the lack of information needed by her and Sargent to make an educated decision for the appointment. Sargent seconded her motion and it was unanimously approved resulting in a round of applause by audience attendees.

Another point of contention were comments made about investigating Borrelli, Chisolm and Flemming for violating state ethics laws regarding the Sunshine Law, which regulates public meetings and the ethics of elected officials.

Resident Ray Cattonar said the three councilmen weren’t working with Kuhn and Sargent and accused them of violating the Open Public Meetings Act.

Chisolm vehemently denied that any secret private meetings had taken place with Flemming, Borrelli and himself stating “please, keep it real; there’s nobody violating any Sunshine Law.”

“Let’s go with the DCA (Department of Community Affairs), they are suggesting somebody file a lawsuit against the township for a violation of the agenda,” Cattonar said.

Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin said, “there has been no violations of the Sunshine Law. The statute requires that the agenda be filed 48 hours in advance to the extent that it is known and there can be changes right up until the time of the meeting and sometimes during the meeting when a motion is made to do something. That is not a violation of the law.”

Resident Sheldon Hofstein also asked about the Sunshine Law and the scenario of three members of council meeting together and having a discussion privately without the two others and if that would be a violation.

“With limited exceptions it would be a violation of the law for those discussions to take place and decisions rendered by a majority of the quorum. It would be a violation if that actually happened,” McGuckin replied.

“I am not sure where this mythical meeting occurred because the three of us have never met for any personal, private, public or non-caucus meeting in person, together at any point,” Chisholm told Hofstein.

“This is political grandstanding. The reality is there was never a meeting. If you have proof of a meeting, please inform me because I must have slept through it,” Chisholm added.

As to whether the DCA did receive a complaint about the Sunshine Law, Chisholm remarked, “I guess I’ll find out because no one has reached out to me about it.”