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Keansburg council authorizes settlement process in HUD complaint while denying allegations
Summary
Council approved a resolution authorizing a settlement agreement related to a HUD complaint by David Wellington and Martha Baquero alleging Fair Housing and Civil Rights Act violations; the municipality and individual defendants denied the allegations but authorized a global settlement to avoid ongoing legal costs, contingent on signatures from multiple parties.
The Borough of Keansburg on March 19 approved Resolution 25-032 authorizing execution of a settlement agreement tied to a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by David Wellington and Martha Baquero. The complaint reportedly alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and other regulations.
Minutes record that the municipality, the individual municipal defendants and the Planning Board denied all allegations as without merit but concluded that a global settlement would preserve municipal resources, effect withdrawal and dismissal of outstanding matters, and recognize that two adjacent Wellington lots have merged under the Doctrine of Merger. The resolution states the settlement will not provide payment to the complainants and will not contain any admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Borough or the Land Use Board.
The resolution authorizes designated municipal officials — including the Borough Manager, Mayor and Borough Attorney — to execute the settlement documents and makes the resolution contingent on adoption or sign-off by several other parties including the Keansburg Planning Board of Adjustment and named individuals referenced in the minutes. Council approved the resolution by roll call.
