Editor questions county legal contract; board approves consent agenda including multiple resolutions

Charlie Bradeville, editor of New Brunswick Today and a New Brunswick resident, spoke during the public-comment period to question agenda item 5.69, a legal contract renewal for Shandy Scheicker Zumlonsky PC.

Bradeville asked what legal services the firm would provide and whether there was a point person. Director Rios responded: "This is a renewal of a contract. We've had them on contract for a number of years now. The lead person that I've worked with is Dave Lansky. And for the most part, we've been having him handle condemnation matters. But remember, under contract, we can really assign any kind of matter, but primarily with the Exelius Foundation." (Transcript wording retained; the transcript did not specify precise case names beyond this reference.)

Bradeville said he had a negative experience with the lead attorney in a separate role. He told the board he believed the lawyer had acted to exclude him from a Middlesex County Democratic Organization convention and urged the commissioners to reject the contract renewal. When asked if the board would table the item, Bradeville said a commissioner responded that they would not table it.

Following public comment, the board moved to adopt a consent agenda. County counsel read the consent motion listing resolution numbers from 25-5-68 through 25-6-10, excluding 25-5-81; a roll call vote was taken and the chair declared the motion carried. The transcript does not record a complete vote tally for each named commissioner in the excerpt; the clerk indicated the roll call was recorded and the correspondence and resolutions will be kept on file in the clerk's office.

Bradeville also asked about county meeting videos and whether a list exists of local CERT teams and which municipalities have them. County staff said the meeting videos would be available on thumb drives at the beginning of the following week, that there are about 12–13 CERT teams in the county, and that OEM staff can provide a list and assistance to towns seeking to establish CERT programs. Bradeville raised concerns about transportation access to county facilities on Kennedy Boulevard; county staff said they are looking at expanding programs and services to improve access in that area.

No formal vote specific to the questioned legal contract was recorded separately in the excerpt; the contract renewal appeared to be part of the consent agenda adopted by the board.