Residents press council on ladder-truck controversy and urge better city communication

During the public-comment period on Aug. 27, two residents urged the Long Branch City Council to address local concerns about a failed ladder-truck arrangement with the neighboring West Long Branch volunteer fire company and to improve the city’s public communications.

Vincent Lepore of 33 Ocean Terrace criticized comments made previously by a municipal official, saying that the official had dismissed local critics as "social media trolls" in reference to public discussion of a proposed ladder-truck arrangement with West Long Branch. Lepore said the social-media posts he described were authored largely by West Long Branch residents, including current and former firefighters, and argued they had "every right to comment on the matter concerning their taxpayer‑bought fire truck." He told the council the city "had no business doing any ventures to West Long Branch for the use of their ladder truck" and criticized Long Branch’s past record in operating ladder trucks.

Lepore also raised historical allegations about misconduct by members of the Long Branch Fire Department dating to the 1970s and 1980s and described convictions from that era. Those allegations were presented by Lepore as part of his public comment; the council did not make findings at the meeting in response and no formal investigation or administrative action was announced. The meeting transcript includes strong language used by Lepore; this article reports the claims as presented by the commenter and does not make factual determinations about historical allegations.

Harry Delaine of 448 Ocean Avenue urged the city to improve its public communications and to proactively publish factual information to counter misinformation on social media. Delaine said he had previously reached out to a council member to discuss ways the city could communicate more broadly and said the city should publish clear information explaining its positions and reasoning rather than only reacting to online criticism.

The council opened the public-comment period by motion and allowed speakers five minutes each, with a one‑minute warning provided by the clerk. Council members thanked speakers and did not announce follow-up investigations or administrative directives during the meeting. After public comment the council closed the public portion and moved on to the consent agenda.