Politics & Government

Mayor's Emails Comply with State Law, Township Attorney Finds

Committeeman Ryan Green's contentions that Mayor Jordan Maskowitz violated the Open Public Meetings Act are unfounded, according to the Township Attorney.

Manalapan Committeeman Ryan Green’s claims that Mayor Jordan Maskowitz violated the Open Public Meetings Act within over 50 emails are unfounded, according to Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin. 

Green came forward with these assertions at the Township reorganization meeting on Jan. 6. He said that Maskowitz was in violation of OPMA because he was sending emails among committee members which discussed Township issues. Green sent these emails to McLaughlin for review several days after the reorganization meeting. 

McLaughlin stated at the last Township Committee meeting that none of the emails Green sent to him for review violated the Open Public Meetings Act. 

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"The OPMA requires that gatherings of a majority of the governing body at which public business is discussed be noticed and open to the public,” McLaughlin explained. “There were no instances in the emails where committee members were holding discussions or deliberating on public business, or taking votes.”

McLaughlin went on to say that the emails just circulated information, asked for information from township staff or professionals, or expressed comments, which are not in violation of OPMA. 

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Maskowitz stated that he was “appalled” that Green wasted taxpayer money and Township resources for “outright misleading lies”. He publicly asked for an apology to him, his family, the state and county officials at the Jan. 6 meeting, and Manalapan residents.

“Before you accuse someone of being ‘above the law’ as you did with me, first you should know and understand the law yourself,” the mayor said at last Wednesday’s meeting. “Your selfish and insulting acts were obviously intended to accomplish one thing, to attack my reputation and hopefully create some controversy prior to our mayoral vote. . . I am sorry you were not successful in your quest and constant push to be the Mayor this year.”


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