Irate Taxpayers Pack Meeting; Focus: Police Chief’s Settlement

WEST WILDWOOD – Nearly a third of West Wildwood’s population packed Borough Hall at the Aug. 3 Borough Commissioners’ meeting to vent frustrations stemming from a proposed tax hike to satisfy Police Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz’s $1.7-million litigation.
Almost 200 full-time and part-time residents were present, some of whom suggested other ways to fulfill the award besides raising taxes 14 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Others asked how they could be protected from future litigation, or accused leadership of self-serving politics.
Mayor Christopher Fox, Commissioner Cornelius Maxwell, Administrator Christopher Ridings, Clerk Donna Frederick, and attorney William Blaney – who sat in for his legal partner, Solicitor Marcus Karavan – blew through the agenda in less than 10 minutes before fielding nearly two and a half hours of questions.
Commissioner Scott Golden was absent due to a migraine, according to Fox.
Property owner Charles Chepak asked from whom residents could seek legal counsel if they “have a problem with the mayor.”
“If you believe that the three people sitting up here are doing something illegal, as your solicitor we cannot allow that,” Blaney said. “But if they’re doing things that are legal, it’s assumed – because they were elected – that they were representatives of the people.”
“How do we ask what’s legal and what’s not legal as a constituency of the government?” Chepak asked.
Blaney responded that they’d have to hire a private attorney. The crowd erupted into shouting.
Chepak asked if a private attorney could advise about the rehiring of Ferentz in 2012, the year Fox became mayor. Ferentz had been dismissed in 2010, while Herbert Frederick was mayor.
Blaney said he wasn’t sure a private attorney would be able to help in that situation.
“So we’re out here with no lifesaver?” Chepak said.
“Correct,” Blaney said.
The topic highlighted the tension between part-time and full-time residents.
“We can’t vote, more than half of us,” a woman called out, referring to part-time residents’ inability to vote in municipal elections.
“Move down here fulltime, and you can vote,” another woman shouted.
Property owner Helen Rao said Fox claimed he and Ferentz were roommates but said that during July’s meeting, Fox said he and Ferentz, whom he oversaw as director of public safety, would not sign a release.
“(If) the mayor of a small borough lives with the police chief in that same small borough,” Rao said, “How do the residents of that small borough protect themselves against a potential sexual harassment lawsuit?”
“(A release) wouldn’t be legally binding if they signed that, because you’re asking somebody to waive a future issue that hasn’t happened yet,” Blaney said.
“Why can’t one of them be forced to step down from their position?” Rao asked.
“If there was a conflict that you expressed, that conflict existed before the mayor was ever even elected,” Blaney said. “I don’t see it as a conflict. (Fox) is not (Ferentz’s) direct supervisor. She reports to Scott Golding.”
Fox then announced that, after last month’s meeting, he became director of public works and Golding took over Fox’s former role, director of public safety.
In suggesting other ways to satisfy the debt owed to Ferentz, a resident asked about a rumored $1 million surplus from Frederick’s administration.
“Is there a way to find out, and to get answers as to what actually happened to that million dollars, how it was spent?” she said.
Ridings said the deputy clerk could “put things together.”
Property owner Mary Ann Welsh asked if properties owned by West Wildwood could be deeded to Ferentz, because the judgment states “cash or property” could be given as payment.
“I’d have to look at the specific agreement, but I doubt you can force her to take a piece of property,” Blaney said, countering that the borough could consider selling property and giving Ferentz the money.
“Some of us are trying to sell our properties and we’re not being successful because of everything that’s going on,” Welsh said.
Blaney said the only way unsold property would satisfy some debt is if Ferentz agrees to take it.
Welsh also asked if Fox could contact North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest about the possibility of merging police departments to save tax money.
Fox said that Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-3rd) is encouraging small boroughs to merge with other boroughs and that he would contact the state about the idea of another borough absorbing West Wildwood.
“I will not agree to just a merger with police and public works,” Fox said. “If you’re looking to try to save a lot of money…with a town merger with another town, you save money that way. That would be the way to go.”
To contact Taylor Henry, email thenry@cmcherald.com.