DENNISVILLE – Over 60 people crowded into the Dennis Township Municipal Building Sept. 25 to protest the proposed hiring of a hearing officer by Dennis Township Committee to examine the performance and actions of Recreation Center Director Kim Herron.
The usually tranquil nature of committee meetings was marked for this session by occasional outbursts and frequent applause as individuals proceeded to the microphone to detail their support of Herron.
Her mother, her brother, former committee members, several current and/or retired Dennis Township employees and numerous parents expressed shock at the handling of allegations against Herron.
“I have 30 pages of infractions here (pointing to a folder in front of him) and a third party to hear them is necessary to move forward. They indicate there have been on-going problems for years and it’s in the personnel file,” said Mayor Zeth Matalucci.
He later added, “We’re holding her accountable for her actions, and I have all the documentation I need to proceed.”
“Let’s straighten this out as adults; you (committee) should be ashamed by bringing in a third party,” said one parent. “You all know us personally, and you and your children have benefited from the outstanding recreation program Kim leads.
“Everyone is proud of our rec activities, and it’s all because of Kim. She has 25 years of dedicated service to the township and you’re showing no trust by appointing this hearing officer. The children, volunteers, and parents all love her, and she really cares about the kids.”
Her comments were consistently echoed by a line of supporters speaking up for Herron for over one hour.
“What is going on? I don’t understand what is going on. Our children are being hurt and we have the best rec program in the county and the best in South Jersey,” said resident Roger Collins.
Other speakers used vocabulary like “travesty” and “this feels wrong” to express their emotions.
Others pointed out that it seemed like a foregone conclusion the hearing officer would be hired although a vote by committee members had not yet been taken.
Ultimately, committee unanimously approved hiring the hearing officer.
“It seems a step has been skipped. It’s hard to understand why Kim was not given the opportunity to sit down with a couple of committee members and work this out. Committee has gone right to a hearing officer,” said resident Carlos Morales.
A former township employee, however, when making comment noted that not everything was fine nor that everybody was in support of Herron who earlier in the year had been given a five-day suspension for unspecified infractions.
In additional background provided in response to a request by the Herald by Township Administrator Pat Moran, after the meeting, it was noted: “Under Dennis Township’s form of government, and its code, Township Committee has to approve the issuance of disciplinary charges when there has been an allegation of wrongdoing.
“The charges are then processed to one or more levels of hearings through New Jersey’s Civil Service process. Last night’s vote simply authorized the issuance of charges and the appointment of an independent hearing officer.
“No decision was made as to the ultimate merits of the charges. Each committee member was provided information related to the underlying allegations prior to the meeting without discussing it as a group.
“They had an opportunity to ask any legal questions they had of labor counsel, and I met with each committee member individually prior to the committee meeting to answer any factual questions. None expressed an objection to placing the matter on the consent agenda, which is why it was placed on the consent agenda.
“Of course, there was public comment prior to the vote on the consent agenda after which any committee member may have asked for the resolutions to be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda. As you are aware, that did not happen.”
The township’s statement continued:
“With regard to the allegations themselves, it is not the township’s practice nor was there any intent to discuss personnel matters in public. To do so would unnecessarily open the township to potential litigation and would be unfair to the employee since the allegations have yet to be adjudicated. However, we can assure you that there are no allegations of misappropriation of funds or any other illegal activity.
“Moreover, the processing of the aforementioned matter will not adversely impact the Recreation Department or its operations. Committee has always been and remains dedicated to ensuring and upholding the quality of our recreation programs. In fact, this committee has just worked for and secured over $900,000 in Open Space grant funds to improve our recreation facilities.”
The statement concluded:
“The other issue that was also mixed in with last night’s discussion is that the township is currently negotiating salaries with the union for newly created unionized positions that were previously approved by ordinance. These positions are likely to be filled, at least in part, through promotions. We have not yet been able to reach an agreement as to the salary, and other items of employment for all of these positions with the union and therefore these positions remain unfilled.
As part of this process, township is currently evaluating the amount of cost vs. need for an additional supervisory position or a change in title in an area where there are already more supervisors than subordinates and where the current titles were sufficient for years. It is also exploring the use of seasonal employees as a cost-saving method.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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