BOE Rep Joly Calls Out Inaccuracies and Manufactured Urgency During 09/16/2025 Town Council Meeting

Berkeley Heights BOEBerkeley Heights Town Council

In her statement, BOE Representative Natasha Joly reiterates concerns about the legality of the lease, the absence of any meaningful response from the Recreation Commission, and the rush to push through a resolution just days before a BOE meeting. Recreation Chair Deb Varnerin had previously agreed to attend that meeting to provide answers but was left off the agenda.

Like Ms. Akiri, Joly underscores inaccurate statements made by the Council and criticizes the Township Attorney for manufacturing a false sense of urgency—only to allow the project to stall for months without progress. Then, mere weeks after the Recreation Chair’s update—sent from her private email account—reversing the turf field decision and failing to respond to BOE members’ questions or document requests, the Council moved to approve a resolution advancing the modified plan for the property.

Finally, Ms. Joly stresses the importance of acting by ordinance, noting the required number of public meetings and the community’s right to a referendum.

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