Like. What. The. Actual…

This week’s newsletter starts with a saga that could fill an entire article.

On August 3, NJ21st reported that the Township announced an “emergency” bond meeting for August 4, tied to the July 14, 2025 storm—without attaching a project list. 

On August 4, the Zoom-only meeting began with no project list available. It was quickly derailed by pornographic and Nazi imagery, and instead of simply removing the disruptive participant, officials ended the meeting entirely.

The Township scheduled another Zoom-only meeting for August 5 to approve the bond. Again, no project list was provided in advance. Residents began asking why capital improvement increases were tied to an “emergency” bond meeting. Those questions went unanswered when the meeting was again disrupted by pornographic and Nazi imagery, and once again the Township chose to end the meeting rather than remove the culprit.

In response to residents’ concerns, the Township Administrator posted a Facebook comment inviting “constructive” feedback. The comment did not include a link to the project list or any plan for securing future Zoom meetings- the actual constructive feedback that residents had been providing the township for days. The Township’s chosen solution was to eliminate Zoom entirely and hold the next meeting in-person only.

When that meeting came around, capital improvements were off the agenda, but there was still no project list for the bond until two hours before the meeting. The Township apparently provided the document to select outlets but not NJ21st, despite our ongoing coverage and request that the list be released. Many residents saw the list for the first time at the meeting, with only minutes to review it before the Council approved the bond.

NJ21st asked the Township why this happened. A representative responded but specified their comments were not for publication or attribution. In keeping with journalistic ethics, we are honoring that request and letting the record speak for itself.

Freelancing in NJ at Risk We cover the NJ Department of Labor’s potential rule change that could significantly impact freelancers and businesses across the state—and how residents can push back.

Partial Victory for Police Transparency An update to our coverage of New Jersey Monitor’s case against Jersey City, seeking records tied to a police officer who remained on the job after firing his gun while off-duty and under the influence.

Voices on BOE and PILOTs Two community voices this week: one from the Treasurer of School Monies for the Berkeley Heights BOE on a resolution he believes will affect vendor relationships, and another from a former Garwood Town Council candidate on the long-term impacts of PILOT agreements.

Governor Murphy Visits Berkeley Heights After Deadly Storm Hits Union County

New Providence Pushes Back on Developer Toll Brothers

Accountability Gap? Berkeley Heights Named in Attorney General’s 2024 Discipline Report

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