RED BANK: STATE SLAMS PAYOUT CONTROLS

Sep 29, 2023

Interim borough Manager Darren McConnell disputed the state’s claim that the borough is not cooperating. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank is one of nine New Jersey municipalities that have failed to take action to prevent illegal sick leave and vacation payouts to departing employees, a state agency said Thursday.

In a press release, acting New Jersey Comptroller Kevin Walsh said the borough and eight other towns “are failing in their most basic responsibilities: To act as a fiduciary of taxpayer funds and to be transparent about how these funds are used.” They risk losing state funding if they don’t comply, he said.

But interim borough Manager Darren McConnell pushed back against some of Walsh’s assertions.

September 29, 2023 - 2:00 pm |

RED BANK: MCPO WEIGHS IN ON PBA CLAIM

Aug 14, 2023

Chief Darren McConnell speaking at an event in 2021. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office amended its policy on internal-affairs investigations into matters involving relatives of local police chiefs in February, the agency told redbankgreen Monday.

But the changes were “not formulated as a reaction to any one specific matter,” the MCPO said in a statement that appeared to contradict an assertion made last week by Red Bank’s police union about borough police Chief Darren McConnell.

McConnell said the statement bares “another misrepresentation of the facts by the PBA.”

August 14, 2023 - 5:00 pm |

RED BANK: McCONNELL REBUTS ALLEGATIONS

Aug 12, 2023

Chief Darren McConnell at the police station in 2020. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank police Chief Darren McConnell acknowledged Saturday that he’d had a relationship with a former “significant other” of a department employee “years ago,” but none since.

The admission came two days after the police union accused McConnell of engaging in “numerous inappropriate and questionable sexual relationships with the significant others'” of department personnel, as well as alleged ethical lapses that led to “no confidence” vote by local members last month.

August 12, 2023 - 4:30 pm |

RED BANK: PBA BLASTS McCONNELL’S ‘ETHICS’

Aug 11, 2023

PBA president Mike Zadlock, at table, addressing the council while the union’s executive committee members stood. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

[See CLARIFICATION below]

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s police union accused Chief Darren McConnell of “numerous inappropriate and questionable sexual relationships” with ~~employees~~ and other alleged ethical lapses Thursday night.

The allegations, aired during a council meeting, came a month after a previously undisclosed “no confidence” vote by Police Benevolent Local 39, and almost two weeks after McConnell had been expected to retire.

August 11, 2023 - 8:59 am |

RED BANK: TAX INCREASE HELD TO ONE PERCENT

May 5, 2023

Parking revenue has been strong since the pandemic and an increase in enforcement hours, officials said. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Local taxes on the typical Red Bank home will increase by one percent this year, officials said at a walk-thru of the 2023 municipal budget Thursday night.

That’s about $25 for the owner of a home assessed at the new townwide average of $505,244, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Seaman said at the one-hour forum, held in the council chamber at borough hall.

May 5, 2023 - 3:45 am |

RED BANK: BUDGET WALK-THRU SLATED

May 4, 2023

Red Bank officials are scheduled to hold an informal walk-thru of the 2023 municipal budget Thursday night.

The $25.911 million spending plan calls for $14.47 million to be raised by taxes, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Seaman told the borough council last week.

May 4, 2023 - 8:20 am |

RED BANK: BALLARD OPPOSES SURPLUS USE

Jul 30, 2021

Councilman Michael Ballard in 2019. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Councilman Michael Ballard challenged his fellow Democrats on the governing body Thursday night for using unspent funds from 2020 to keep a lid on taxes.

At a special session of the council, held via Zoom, Ballard alleged the use of $3.5 million in surplus was driven by that objective.

July 30, 2021 - 6:30 am |

RED BANK: SURPLUS KEEPS TAX RATE LEVEL

Jul 28, 2021

A new trash contract and landfill fees increased waste removal costs by $318,000 this year, officials said. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Facing large increases in debt financing and trash costs, Red Bank officials dodged a tax rate increase thanks in part to a surplus from 2020, they said Tuesday night.

At a 45-minute information session by the borough finance committee, held via Zoom, Councilman Hazim Yassin called the outcome “phenomenal.”

July 28, 2021 - 7:56 am |

RED BANK: NO LOCAL TAX INCREASE IN BUDGET

Jun 24, 2021

A screengrab from Wednesday’s virtual meeting, which was chaired by Councilman Hazim Yassin, top right. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank property owners will see no increase in the local tax rate under the budget introduced by the borough council Wednesday night.

The governing body also finalized a plan for a charter study referendum that several commenters referred to as “historic;” eliminated the job of animal control officer to make way for the Monmouth SPCA; and tabled the hiring of a new executive director of the Redevelopment Agency.

June 24, 2021 - 7:30 am |

RED BANK: ANIMAL CONTROL VOTE SCHEDULED

May 24, 2021

Henry Perez with opossums orphaned when their mother was hit by a car in 2016. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Howls of protest are expected Wednesday night when the Red Bank council considers a proposal to scrap its in-house animal control service.

In addition to eliminating the position of animal control officer, held for the past 18 years by Henry Perez, the council would shift the work for the second half of 2021 to the Monmouth County SPCA, a change opponents say would delay responses.

May 24, 2021 - 7:45 am |

RED BANK: ANIMAL OPERATION ON THE BLOCK

May 13, 2021

Animal Control Officer Henry Perez with a bat removed from a Madison Avenue home in 2013. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

In a move that has animal advocates alarmed, Red Bank is looking at jobbing out its animal control operation.

They say replacing the in-house service with the Monmouth County SPCA would reduce response times and service.

May 13, 2021 - 7:50 am |

RED BANK: WHAT’S ON COUNCIL AGENDA

Jan 26, 2021

Among the many events organizers hope to bring back in 2021: the Red Bank Classic 5k, slated for June 19. A list of event dates is up for approval by the council. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s borough council meets with a busy agenda of financing actions, hirings and more Wednesday.

There’s also something missing, though numerous commenters have demanded it: changes to the meeting protocol covering… public comment.

January 26, 2021 - 7:30 am |

RED BANK: TRASH PACT, LEAK REPORT OK’D

Dec 18, 2020

DeLisa Demolition won the bidding to haul the borough’s trash and recycling for another five years. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Months later than expected, Red Bank officials agreed this week to enter a new five-year contract for private trash hauling, one that will increase the frequency of recycling pickups.

They also agreed to hire an outside attorney to look into disputed emails about the bid specifications.

December 18, 2020 - 2:00 pm |

LITTLE SILVER: PANDEMIC BONUSES ON DECK

Dec 7, 2020

Little Silver Mayor Bob Neff alone in the council chamber for the governing body’s first virtual meeting in April. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Little Silver plans to thank public employees for their extra efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic with $500 bonuses.

The payments, as well as new police salaries, are up for consideration by the borough council at its virtual meeting Monday night.

December 7, 2020 - 7:00 am |

RED BANK: TRASH SURVEY SPLITS COUNCIL

Nov 5, 2020

A screengrab of the council’s session Wednesday night. (Zoom screengrab. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A trash-and-recycling survey became the latest wedge between two factions of Red Bank’s one-party council Wednesday night.

The dispute included innuendo that Councilman Ed Zipprich could not be trusted to keep information secret from bidders in the pending award of a trash hauling contract.

November 5, 2020 - 7:59 am |

RED BANK: DEAL OVER LEAK PROBES POSSIBLE

Oct 15, 2020

Michael Ballard, left, and Ed Zipprich with an unidentified woman at the 2017 Halloween parade. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A stalemate over dueling demands for probes stemming from a Red Bank government email leak may be headed toward resolution.

At the urging of Mayor Pasquale Menna, council members informally agreed Wednesday night to seek a legal opinion regarding their options on how to proceed.

October 15, 2020 - 12:00 pm |

RED BANK: SPLIT OVER LEAK PROBE CONTINUES

Oct 8, 2020

A screengrab of the council’s session Wednesday night, with councilmembers Erik Yngstrom at center left and Michael Ballard at center right. (Zoom screengrab. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A dispute over leaked emails entered its third month when the Red Bank council met for a workshop session via Zoom Wednesday night.

The issue has pitted two Democrats who are running for re-election against four who aren’t.

October 8, 2020 - 7:40 am |

RED BANK: BIKING LANDSCAPER GETS ASSIST

Oct 7, 2020

Ricardo Paz with Liz Schuber and restaurateur Danny Murphy outside Danny’s Steakhouse Tuesday, and below, in Fair Haven in July. (redbankgreen photos. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A Red Bank landscaper who hauls his equipment around in a trailer attached to his bicycle needed a new set of wheels.

And thanks to a fund drive set up by a stranger, Ricardo Paz now has $3,600 to buy one. But because there’s been a run on bikes triggered by the pandemic, Paz hasn’t been able to find a bike sturdy enough to accommodate his trailer, which carries more than 300 pounds of gear.

So last month, Paz –yes – started pushing his gear to his clients’ homes.

October 7, 2020 - 7:58 am |

RED BANK: BIKING LANDSCAPER NEEDS WHEELS

Sep 9, 2020

Ricardo Paz, a Red Bank landscaper who hauls his equipment around in a trailer attached to his bike, needs a new set of wheels. So friends have set up a Go Fund Me account to help him buy one.

For more about this hard-pedaling father of four, check out Brian Donohue’s ‘Positively Jersey’ video feature. (redbankgreen photo. Click to enlarge.)

September 9, 2020 - 11:30 am |

RED BANK: COPS GET THEIR PROMO CEREMONY

Sep 4, 2020

Errico Vescio, above, and Beau Broadley, right, were among six Red Bank police officers sworn to new positions in ceremonies led by Mayor Pasquale Menna outside borough hall Thursday night.

September 4, 2020 - 6:58 am |

RED BANK: COUNCIL PROMOTES SIX COPS

Aug 25, 2020

Errico Vescio, right, who was promoted to captain, with former Captain Mike Clay in 2014. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

Six Red Bank police officers are set to step up in rank next week, following promotions approved by the borough council last week.

By custom, the changes would have been an occasion for family and friends to pack the council chamber for swearing-in ceremonies. But with borough hall shut down to visitors, and the council meeting remotely via the Internet, that event could not be held, said Chief Darren McConnell.

August 25, 2020 - 12:45 pm |

RED BANK: DEMS CLASH OVER BUDGET, PROBE

Aug 21, 2020

A screengrab of the council’s session Wednesday night. (Zoom screengrab. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Rifts among Democrats were on almost nonstop display during a three-hour meeting of the Red Bank council Wednesday night.

While Councilman Ed Zipprich pressed for a probe into an email leak he said had smeared his reputation, at least two of his colleagues were more concerned about his intervention in the bidding for a new trash hauling contract.

But first, the all-Democratic body split over proposed budget cuts pushed by Councilman Michael Ballard that others saw as unwise.

August 21, 2020 - 11:30 am |

RED BANK: BUDGET Q&A SLATED AFTER ALL

Jul 30, 2020

Councilman Michael Ballard, center, with Councilman Ed Zipprich, left, and Business Administrator Ziad Shehady in December, 2018. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Almost two months later than promised, Red Bank residents will get a detailed explanation next week of a borough budget that would increase property taxes by 2.8 percent.

July 30, 2020 - 11:30 am |

RED BANK: TAX INCREASE AT 2.8 PERCENT

Jul 23, 2020

A screengrab from Wednesday’s virtual meeting, with Councilman Michael Ballard at top center and Business Administrator Ziad Shehady at center right. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank property owners would pay 2.8 percent more in municipal taxes this year, under a budget advanced by the borough council Wednesday night.

The still-evolving $22.4 million spending plan was the centerpiece of a nearly three-hour online council meeting that left viewers with a lot to unpack.

July 23, 2020 - 6:56 am |

RED BANK: TAX INCREASE ON AGENDA

Jul 21, 2020

Councilman Michael Ballard during an online meeting in May. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Red Bank’s proposed budget for 2020 would boost the amount to be raised from local property owners by 5.4 percent.

But heading into the final stretch, it’s not clear that the chairman of the finance committee will support the spending plan if it goes to a vote Wednesday night.

July 21, 2020 - 8:30 am |

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