Dennis Hires Conflict Labor Counsel, Residents Want Answers

This is a corrected version of a previous article.
DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the hiring of a conflict labor counsel Oct. 9.
Mayor Zeth Matalucci and committee took great pains to refrain from mentioning any specifics of the reason for the hiring or even the name of the individual since the employee in question had not received a “Rice” notification for that particular meeting.
A “Rice” notification refers to a 1977 NJ Appellate Court case, Rice v Union City that ultimately held that a municipal employee must receive advance notice if any matter related to that person’s employment is to be discussed in public by a public body.
Nevertheless, it was understood that the employee in question was Kim Herron, director of the Dennis recreation center who is the subject of an employment action whose details still have not been fully revealed.
Anticipating this measure on the meeting agenda, a large gathering of about 40 residents, parents and recreation center volunteers attended the meeting.
Their number was fewer than the first meeting on the issue Sept. 25 when committee approved hiring a hearing officer for the matter, but they were more outspoken in their comments.
Such comments ranged from a profanity-laden “this is a lynch mob against committee and the mayor” to Herron’s mother telling committee, the mayor and the township legal counsel for that evening, William Blaney, one by one that she was “praying every night for each of you and that my Lord Savior has put on my heart to forgive you for what you’re doing.”
Township Clerk Jacqueline Justice explained subsequently that Blaney, of the law firm Blaney and Karavan, was representing the township at that particular meeting because of the labor law issue on the agenda rather than Marcus Karavan, the customary solicitor for Dennis Township at committee meetings. 
“We only know what we’ve read in the paper, and we don’t like the disrespect you’ve shown Kim with this dispute,” said one resident who also is a volunteer and parent.
“She has done great things with our kids and the rec program of the township, and we should know what’s happening from you, not the newspaper. You have not let Kim know what’s wrong and why are you now hiring this conflict counsel in addition to the hearing officer?”
His comments reflected the sentiments some other residents made during public comments.
Matalucci then read a list of seven dates over the last year when he met with Herron about the infractions that are the subject of the employment dispute.
He also mentioned that committee was advised that it cannot discuss as they might have wished the full details of what is occurring because of legal constraints. “Committee is not the judge and jury here. We are following the disciplinary process as needed,” he said.
Resident, Dennis Crippen, said, “You are not being transparent and why aren’t you telling us the full story?” To that Matalucci replied, “You were deputy mayor, you understand the rules, and you’re just showboating because it’s election time.”
Blaney was the recipient of several complaints singling out his “lack of respect for those making remarks, taxpayers and residents” as well as the fact that he needed to recuse himself because of a conflict from participating in the actual deliberations; hence the need to engage the conflict labor counsel.
Several residents complained that the township was paying Blaney while also having to pay both the hearing officer as well as the conflict counsel.
Matalucci ensured that all residents who wished to comment were afforded that opportunity and then moved on to the rest of the agenda.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.