Garwood resident urges probe of Ashbrook/Oatman swamp work and CME Associates contracting

During the public-comment period, Bruce Patterson of Garwood raised allegations about county contracting and environmental work connected to the Ashbrook/Oatman swamp restoration. Patterson said the county increased CME Associates' contract "by 47% to $300,000" and alleged a broader mishandling that the public first discovered in October 2024, calling it "the Oatman Swamp debacle." He claimed equipment was found "buried deep in mud and water" and said a Department of Environmental Protection investigation and charges for wetland damage had followed; he told commissioners "No 1 was penalized for it." Patterson estimated the costs so far at "around 2 to $3,000,000" and asked the board to provide transparency on DEP penalties, legal costs and on which individuals or organizations receive caretaker lease payments (Reso. 100 and Reso. 101 referenced caretaker leases for Feltville Village and Watchung Stables, with amounts mentioned in public comment as $9,600 and $7,800 respectively). He also criticized a reduction in scheduled meetings and said commissioner stipends and meeting schedules raise public transparency concerns.

Chairman Bodak asked the county manager to address questions raised; the meeting record notes that "the answers are Dan Benier and Rachel Bechtold," but no formal staff statement or detailed financial accounting was offered during the public-comment exchange. The chair characterized the speaker's remarks as largely a "rant" rather than a specific question. No formal investigation or staff report was announced during the meeting.

The allegations raised in public comment were not adjudicated at the meeting. County residents and reporters seeking details about contracts, DEP findings, penalties or lease recipients should request follow-up from the county manager's office or the county finance and legal staff listed by the chair.