We have questions.
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Taxpaying voters deserve to know:
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Have any of the Pompton Lakes borough council members even read the lawsuits filed against the town?
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Why on April 25th, 2025, did Borough Administrator Michael Carelli contact the NJ Civil Service Commission after the first police lawsuit was filed, knowing a second suit was forthcoming, and ask for a waiver of competitive examination for Captain Anthony Rodriguez, in lieu of asking for a test announcement for all eligible police chief candidates?
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Did the borough council know of this waiver request and vote for Captain Anthony Rodriguez to be made officer in charge of the Pompton Lakes Police Department? (At the time of voting, June 25th, 2025, the borough mayor and council were certainly aware of the two lawsuits, and several million dollars in damages alleged.)
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Why when an OPRA was filed asking for chief of police vehicle records and costs, did the borough delay a reply for weeks, and then claim no vehicle is assigned to the chief? What are they hiding?
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How much money are these astronomical legal fees costing the Pompton Lakes taxpayers?
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Why does the borough claim there is no communication in writing regarding Chief Derek Clark's notice of intent to retire, nor any written discussions of potential dates? Why does Resolution 25-240 list Clark's retirement date as January 1, 2026? Is it because on that date, his pension increases, along with the 10% longevity amount?
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Why won't any of the borough council members attend the public hearings for Captain Ryan Cichon? The next hearing is Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 10am in borough hall, and all are welcome to attend.
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When Chief Derek Clark and Captain Anthony Rodriguez forced officers to show their personal cell phone texts and communications to see if they'd been in contact with Detective Pepe following his constructive termination, was this the only time Clark and Rodriguez invaded officers' privacy? Are there others ways or means by which they spied on their fellow police officers?
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Do the mayor and council stand behind the outrageous threats and menacing of citizens who have questioned Clark and Rodriguez's behavior, allowing them to treat civilians with unchecked power and intimidation?
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How many police officers in total did Clark and Rodriguez edge or force out of the department by weaponizing Internal Affairs against competition or those who spoke up against the behavior?
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Why does the annual legal budget look like this?
2020: $137,600
2021: $138,100
2022: $138,100
2023: $168,100
2024: $192,500
2025: $162,000
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Why does the borough have and need a special attorney for law enforcement services and labor issues? Do any other towns need this kind of specialty lawyer on retainer, or is this a "Pompton Lakes Special?"
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Are more lawsuits coming?