[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6183146,"mediaKeyId","5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215","parentId",5099183,"title","Council approves Health and Technology Center contracts amid resident concerns over parking and development","audioSeconds",439,"startMs",3079000,"endMs",3518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215&start=3079&end=3518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215/thumbnail_3079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183146/Long-Branch-City/Monmouth-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-Health-and-Technology-Center-contracts-amid-resident-concerns-over-parking-and-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183146-b94b4952001f4ece77adee5fe443678b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159635&Signature=bgJjobdOlqgelVBJ88wbshSeHg3zz68cXqbMudhSEP8shKELNOZ1~a0y5C5EH32Iow8ahsbVpx3ltJ1k42cHNmCyfcmo6q-53rhU7rdfmBLlLyrCCxePultpLXzh2~3BvRIVV9U8Eae~fe2llTc-MKXJUze4eX7VRjqYagrImDOlIzwBddheDhijtKPc8H2ny0BgohICBKVMl8A47XaYNFXwsit5D8n8zkxMmhkWrrKViiToQVhD~F6uv~xXgAjMmYaktgTYOzbYQJH7ScxBxjbKKOMoDJ2FoK-tVmjxJySG~ywEXSR6wmz7dRYA6pR1-1-sCWk6iMQBUTcd0T~OXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Long Branch, NJ","date","2025-06-26T12:45:21Z","article","The Long Branch City Council on June 25 adopted Resolution R20128-25 and approved the consent agenda, including contract awards related to the Health and Technology Center and other capital projects; council members said construction is expected to begin within months.

During public comment, residents raised concerns about recent and proposed development downtown and the loss of parking. Scott Bieber asked where cars associated with newly approved apartments above local businesses would park and cited two-hour limits and no-overnight rules in several downtown lots. He said existing public lots do not accommodate overnight parking for new residents.

Council members and the mayor responded that the administration has modified development terms from prior proposals (citing cuts in unit counts and removal of long abatements at some projects) and that the city is examining parking and planning measures. The mayor said the former Santander Bank building was acquired for municipal court and city functions and that design work is pending for other municipal projects.

Council adopted R20128-25 by roll call. The council also approved a separate resolution to award contracts for the Elbron library renovation; the mayor said construction is projected to begin in about two months for the library project. Council members said they have hired a planner nine months earlier to focus on parking and development issues and encouraged residents to bring planning concerns to the planning board for review.

No change to parking regulations or overnight-permit policy was approved at the June 25 meeting; councilors said parking and abatement decisions have been reconsidered from prior administrations but left remaining development approvals and parking rules to upcoming planning processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Long Branch City Council Meeting 06/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted Resolution R20128-25 awarding contracts for a Health and Technology Center project and discussed development and parking pressures in downtown areas as residents questioned where new apartment residents will park.","taxTitle","Long Branch City, Monmouth County, New Jersey","taxId",52739,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183151,"Residents press Long Branch council to increase enforcement at Woodgate-Cedar intersection after near-misses",430,2435000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215&start=2435&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215/thumbnail_2435000.jpg","/articles/6183151/Long-Branch-City/Monmouth-County/New-Jersey/Residents-press-Long-Branch-council-to-increase-enforcement-at-Woodgate-Cedar-intersection-after-near-misses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183151-f6fca92ce47fba6e12d0af8ead722def/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159635&Signature=oP2RKZ1NTQJpJHPkfnEyJVFVShy9Ld-lCoKnNDo5tVR32k2s7Fq6u-qNRAsBJS-HhyBAtL4X6GzAImfjgW2WzsGTkiHbDOYH5qXc2jJds7PDcAa0SIglc-m0V8qTEHCmFxJHSClZ57th9dXnmS2geChAHDXmIj5S7ZIc4xAivadBmb2gkdJp5c6L9~wNUV1T14fjcLM2-shOdQaz51locwljBNFexzxntS6yjp0SRD-3xsBYqXx-MW3hCNHQRChEbIpI3NX2ZSN-XRvFbl6N0mUv6iw18CEaM5C39ko6Orr58p7uPly1GQMyk4E62PGO2rVFNR77eIm1gch3phfWWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents told the Long Branch City Council on June 25 that speeding and poor driver behavior at the Woodgate and Cedar Avenue intersection create a persistent hazard for pedestrians, children and bicyclists.

Megan Tomlinson described the intersection as “incredibly dangerous” and said drivers often pass around stopped cars rather than yield. She told council she has recorded drivers and that “drivers simply being aware that they’re being watched has a deterrent effect.” Tomlinson said she had spoken that day with police and that the department had assured her of stepped-up enforcement.

Resident Matthew Macrinos described repeated incidents of aggressive driving near sundown and said parked cars and scooter use create visibility problems: “It’s a powder keg... Somebody’s going to die there,” he said, urging a stronger police presence.

Mayor and council members told residents the county has a planned road-diet for Cedar Avenue that would narrow lanes and slow traffic but that such projects can take years to design and implement. The mayor said the county’s project has federal grant funding but emphasized the timeline between engineering and construction can be multiple years.

Police and administration officials told residents they will increase enforcement in the interim, including targeted patrols and use of calibrated speed devices when available. The council did not adopt a new traffic ordinance at the meeting; residents were encouraged to follow up with police about enforcement schedules and project timelines.","Residents described repeated speeding and near-miss incidents at Woodgate and Cedar avenues and asked the council and police to increase enforcement; the city said the county has a planned road-diet project but no firm date, and police agreed to step up enforcement in the short term.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183153,"Resident urges forensic audit after allegations of contraband firefighting equipment at Long Branch Fire Department",161,1099000,1260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215&start=1099&end=1260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6183153/Long-Branch-City/Monmouth-County/New-Jersey/Resident-urges-forensic-audit-after-allegations-of-contraband-firefighting-equipment-at-Long-Branch-Fire-Department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183153-cb75a54b674b70f5d4601d83d0f10b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159635&Signature=hSPBobPKmogB~yt-qz-8evcE0u-jLbwMCNHT4eUW8hyiCfdtwBXV6GsTrvowoYGCa2tv2NnUGisDhi0S91BcprVlJpEqbxtgoTO73EGC4o0ZdOILo13aaCyfym-ls8VZ6dIl30ACkF-POHYGhsVoT1Cd5qE~Qfp2DJ-FE3wXfBFmdS0T83cJ0-1zbKmm1a0-dehlquVXW2tChssz~kc~8owy~653TqgSIfehh9kin5Q6XvHcQr9iBKlz6Peb~H5rY7P7Btnaxa-DKI7Q3ZZlX7YYECRD8G~hy4CpFfcRXlugtx04cgyjWyVGzZvvVPutRzEiu9~Qzja~rhzEJ00SAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 25 meeting, Vincent Lepore alleged that firefighting equipment seized from the Long Branch Fire Department had originated at a U.S. Army base and that the city’s auditors failed to detect the transfers.

Lepore told the council that a former Long Branch fire chief and another department member—both alleged in other public reports to face charges from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for falsification and destruction of public records—had obtained federal equipment and that the city “completely failed in monitoring what was taking place.” He asked Council President Mario Vieira whether the city would hire a forensic auditor to assess the economic impact of the alleged contraband equipment and whether the council would cooperate with federal authorities in the investigation.

During his remarks, Lepore said he had asked several direct questions and that he had not received answers from the council president. The council did not vote on hiring an auditor during the meeting; no administration response committing to an audit was recorded in open session.

Lepore also said members of the fire department should be aware that federal investigators are involved, and he criticized the city’s financial oversight. The council did not announce any immediate investigatory steps on the record; the council president did not answer Lepore’s question during the public comment period.","A public commenter accused a former fire chief and member of bringing contraband firefighting equipment from a U.S. Army base into the Long Branch Fire Department and asked the council to hire a forensic auditor and cooperate with federal investigators; council president did not answer during the public comment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183155,"Former Long Branch employees accuse finance director of harassment, say vacation pay withheld",393,210000,603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215&start=210&end=603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215/thumbnail_210000.jpg","/articles/6183155/Long-Branch-City/Monmouth-County/New-Jersey/Former-Long-Branch-employees-accuse-finance-director-of-harassment-say-vacation-pay-withheld","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183155-493542a11f37bc56445194ab193f51c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159635&Signature=LqvyUap4dLdOJgB4xB~UTRe~7BHUckafCYqP27lgMxp7~dmzwG34~z8lFNH7VUfYm6mo7mRjWqrYKJGi5vLt3CjJW~ukpyrCDQ3p5XXGI52tKevedKVjlJW2EYr7bzZEmkrm~N375Z6OH2kMcJaBYDJQVdeSBwLtS5HYMDj-Y9I2LragVVPZAH9XmEZGXwGXqXcpTJ0WvM0zKwHJM6YEF4wxips4Dsu3MhDRj7B4L2ynvcrvCGh9Xqsx1amrW2nUgw2pKxahPcirpGZmqVPiXa1uqg9WmTvbPaRRw0i~KAqDeJ7-i1ER9rRUFu1hQRsoYKPggSCuEyGAEicgL63BXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several former employees spoke during the June 25 public comment period, accusing Finance Director Michael Martin of harassment and alleging the city withheld accrued vacation pay after one employee’s separation.

“My name is Christie Fernandez. ... I was written up, disciplined, and suspended for 5 days on my last full day of employment with the city,” Fernandez told the council, describing disciplinary hearings and contested charges tied to payroll processing and deleted emails. Fernandez said she attended two hearings and that a city representative did not appear at the April 30 proceeding.

Kathy Fuller, who said she worked for the city 17½ years, described similar treatment and alleged Martin “changed a sick day ... to a vacation day so he could suspend me.” Fuller said she had been suspended and that she and others “went through constant harassment and discrimination under Mike Martin.”

Christie Fernandez and other speakers asked the council to resolve what they said was withheld vacation pay from Fernandez’s termination. Councilman Dangler responded that he hoped accrued vacation time would be “rectified” so both parties are satisfied, noting the council cannot comment on personnel discipline but can address owed vacation.

Speakers said they had raised the matter with their union and that prior findings had found misconduct by Martin in a separate matter: Greg Dilcher, speaking as the former employee’s brother, referenced a past labor-council finding that Martin had used offensive language toward staff and said the town’s response to that finding was inadequate.

Council did not take a personnel vote during the meeting. Council members said they wished to see the vacation-held matter resolved and emphasized limits on public comment about personnel discipline.","Several former Long Branch City employees told the council they faced harassment by Finance Director Michael Martin, described disciplinary hearings and said accrued vacation pay remains withheld; speakers asked the council to rectify vacation pay and review personnel actions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183157,"Long Branch council introduces ordinance to require commercial filming permits, schedules public hearing",62,109000,171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215&start=109&end=171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5099183-572820f7c47a68b89a7e7072a17f1215/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6183157/Long-Branch-City/Monmouth-County/New-Jersey/Long-Branch-council-introduces-ordinance-to-require-commercial-filming-permits-schedules-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183157-b64d1b6e16c41231467f386c889d32f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159635&Signature=EXoMNqbNzg8~-X2Mqj0mGOlFFval3YPyP3IiMrM5f3~TzJzVx14moaF-ZABJRdGV1g1XUgDmapT334o8nZRvqPc8bofnBd-t4e08YcszBRtAaVtuQMS8ZUbM~UWvezTDG0Q66udMYEeDGPkrFO8H0kGIjiU60YxdLM7jJIPQqAlJtPMVCBJSnV21WXZvdTj4kNcsdMXZoqykHgCavcKUrMw5f5ME5SM~5Ih6wlHvXkplIQC2kmJTovdhlhHRSrf-jK~MfNsAvdITWyW5Ph39k83Bb3UTKSP11KsbmtJh8e-gz7xVGbJvsqQ4OJ360T6zHJIbIoDC1-~YVX-om9UIlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Long Branch City Council on June 25 introduced Ordinance 009-25, which would create a Chapter 233 establishing a licensing regime for commercial and movie filming in the city and set a public hearing for July 9, 2025.

Council President Mario Vieira read a summary of the ordinance, saying the chapter’s intent is to “be supportive of the film industry while at the same time protecting the business and residents of the city from any negative impacts resulting from filming.” The council moved and seconded introduction and approved the motion by roll call.

The ordinance summary presented to the council explains the city will require a filming permit and that the rule is intended to “balance the needs of the film industry and the city and its taxpayers and promote safety and welfare.” The council registered unanimous affirmative roll-call votes from council members present, and the item was placed on the agenda for final consideration at the July 9 public hearing.

No final adoption occurred at the June 25 meeting; the action taken was introduction and advertisement for the public hearing. City officials did not provide at the meeting a copy of the full draft ordinance text or a permit fee schedule during the introduction. The council did not vote on any operating details or fees at this session.

Council staff indicated the first reading had been advertised in accordance with law, and the hearing was scheduled to allow public comment and final council consideration on July 9, 2025.","The Long Branch City Council introduced Ordinance 009-25 to create a licensing chapter for commercial and movie filming, citing a balance between supporting the film industry and protecting residents; a public hearing was set for July 9, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Health and Technology Center contracts amid resident concerns over parking and development

Residents press Long Branch council to increase enforcement at Woodgate-Cedar intersection after near-misses

Resident urges forensic audit after allegations of contraband firefighting equipment at Long Branch Fire Department

Former Long Branch employees accuse finance director of harassment, say vacation pay withheld

Long Branch council introduces ordinance to require commercial filming permits, schedules public hearing