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Long Branch City Council adopts R-41-26 after resident questions contracting and emergency services
Summary
The Long Branch City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-41-26 during a March 2, 2026 special meeting after a resident’s extended public comment criticized the administration’s contracting process, asked about First Aid Squad funding splits and questioned equipment purchases and ISO impacts for homeowners.
The Long Branch City Council on March 2 unanimously adopted Resolution R-41-26 after an extended public-comment period in which a resident raised multiple questions about the city’s contracting and emergency-services decisions.
Vincent, who identified himself with the address 33 Ocean Terrace, told the council the special meeting was "unnecessary" and criticized the administration for validating a public-contractor registration certificate after, rather than before, awarding a contract: "It's abominable. This meeting is unnecessary ... It's ridiculous." He asked why virtual call-in meetings are not permitted and pressed the council on several line-item concerns, including a $70,000 allocation for the Long Branch/Oberon First Aid Squad and what he described as a 50/50 cost split with Elberon despite Elberon's lower share of calls.
The resident also questioned an equipment choice, asking why the council selected a ladder truck instead of a tower bucket, and raised a query about a roughly $10,000 commercial stove purchase for the fire department headquarters: "Why don't you give them 20,000 stove? Why don't you give him a $30,000 stove?" He asked whether the stove purchase was part of a contractual requirement and how the city's aging fire fleet had affected ISO ratings for homeowners.
A council member responded bluntly during the public-comment exchange: "I'll be honest. I never answer any of his questions. I'm not going to answer them now." Other officials said administrators may correct misleading information raised during public comment and offered a contact number for those seeking follow-up: the city clerk's office at 732-571-5686 to schedule public council hours.
After closing the public portion, the council moved to adopt Resolution R-41-26. The motion was moved and seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with recorded "yes" votes from Mr. Rases, Mr. Vieiraa, Mrs. Whittis, Mr. Dangler and Dr. V.
Council members used the rest of the meeting for brief remarks thanking staff, especially public works crews who responded after a recent snowstorm. Mayor Palone said he believed he had answered most of the resident's prior questions but expressed uncertainty about some earlier statements.
The council adjourned the special meeting and scheduled its next regular meeting for the following week.
