The Final Countdown

"Truth is generally the best vindication against slander"--Abraham Lincoln

We are at a crossroads, Matawan residents. We have one week only to decide the course of our town for the next four years. The choices are the incumbent mayor of two years Mary Aufseeser, and the former councilman and chairman of the Matawan Republican Party, Paul Buccellato. The case against Mayor Aufseeser begins and ends with accusations of her being an ineffectual leader, and her term in office marked by not much positive change. Keeping in mind that she's only had half a term in office--two years rather than the full four, as she was serving out the unexpired portion of Freeholder Rob Clifton's term--we're inclined to give her a pass, in light of some of the facts about her opponent we're about to bring to light. Because when given the choice between perceived ineffectiveness and a pattern of repeated, willful bad decisions, cover-ups, lies, and corruption, it should surprise no one at all to know that we are going to support the Mayor in this election. Is there a shortage of qualified candidates in Matawan? Perhaps. But we can only play the cards we've been dealt, folks.

The case against Mr. Buccellato is an easy one, if one only does the slightest bit of homework. Everyone in town can agree that the stalled redevelopment at the train station site is a huge problem that needs rectifying. But we have to laugh when we see that people are blaming Mayor Aufseeser for this. In fact, the redevelopment has been stalled by persistent litigation initiated under Mr. Buccellato's watch and due in no small part to actions and comment made by Mr. Buccellato himself! This litigation has continued on, including appeals, throughout Mayor Aufseeser's entire two year term, severely curtailing the borough's ability to do anything at the train station. When was the lawsuit filed, you ask? How about January 16th, 2003! FIVE YEARS AGO. Long before the Mayor was even thinking about her current position, and long before the current Democratic majority was voted into power. This was a problem the Republicans in Matawan created, and it's hilarious (and scary) that some people in our town actually think the answer to the problem is to put the SAME PEOPLE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM BACK IN POWER!!! Not only is Mr. Buccellato a NAMED DEFENDANT in the lawsuit holding up our much-needed development, several out-of-turn comments by him have only proven more fodder for the lawsuit, and kept the appeals process rolling! Thanks Paul! Matawan Advocate caught wind of Mr. Buccellato's lawsuit-fueling comments, and in a rare moment of lucidity, posted this gem:
http://matawanadvocate.blogspot.com/2007/02/fools-rush-in-where-wisemen-fear-to.html

It was unfounded remarks that held up the Matawan Transit Village's progress. Barring the lawsuit brought on Matawan by Silver Oaks (a major factor in the delay) the benefit of tax relief would be in place now. Perhaps, just perhaps we all would be in a thriving community right now.

For the record, we agree with her.

Of course, this all plays perfectly into Mr. Buccellato's hands. He didn't have to accomplish ANYTHING in the last two years, merely do his best to stop and stall Mayor Aufseeser and the rest of the Council from moving forward, and then hope the general ignorance and apathy of the borough residents would have people throw up their hands and say "See? We voted for change in 2005 and they didn't change enough! Back to the old standbys that pile-drived Matawan into the ground the last time they were in power!" And frighteningly enough, that's what appears to be happening!

By the way, here's something from the Independent, February 19, 2003:
http://independent.gmnews.com/News/2003/0219/Front_Page/002.html

Train station redevelopment talks between Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township will continue despite a recent lawsuit filed by Aberdeen’s developer against both municipalities.

The lawsuit was filed by Aberdeen’s lead developer, Silver Oak Properties Inc. of Monroe, on Jan. 16 with the state Superior Court, Freehold, seeking to disqualify Matawan’s developers from the redevelopment project.

Named as defendants in the suit are Matawan Borough, borough Mayor Robert Clifton, the developers, NJ Transit and the Township of Aberdeen.

Matawan appointed K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Edison; Mack-Cali Realty Corp., Woodbridge; and lead developer Columbia Group, LLC, of Princeton, to redevelop the 40 acres of land the borough owns around the train station.

The joint committee is still active, Matawan Councilman Paul Buccellato said.

Much of the dispute is due to Columbia Group’s plan that includes 1,000 housing units.

At issue is the impact 1,000 new housing units will have on the school system the two municipalities share.

The project itself will still go as planned despite the lawsuit, Buccellato said.

"We’re still moving forward with our redevelopment," he said.

Really, Paul? How's that movement forward doing? And what impact do you think 1,000 new homes will have on our little town? How will that affect our school district? Our roads? Our already-stretched-thin police force? Our fire volunteers? Our DPW workers? We know, 1,000 is such a nice, round number to shoot for, but really, Paul? Come on.

So now we were set to wonder, what was the genesis of the lawsuit, after all? There's certainly grains of the Truth to be found in the above article, but let's dig a bit deeper, shall we?

Another Independent article, this from April 30, 2003:
http://independent.gmnews.com/News/2003/0430/Front_Page/046.html

Borough officials disagreed with a letter sent out by Aberdeen officials to its residents detailing its ideas for redevelopment of the Aberdeen-Matawan train station.

The letter, "Station Plaza Moves Forward: An Open Letter to the Community," was sent to Aberdeen residents two weeks ago.

Matawan is blindly focused on building residential development at the train station, according to the letter.

"Such development would substantially increase the enrollment in our shared school system, and therefore the school tax rate, thus eliminating the financial benefits that would be gained through the economic revitalization plan," the letter states.

The letter spells out what township officials said are advantages to its rede­velopment plan. The Aberdeen proposal will provide significant tax relief in the township and Matawan by helping bring the right mix of offices, restaurants, ho­tels and retail stores to the area sur­rounding the train station, according to the letter.

The statement that Matawan is the only municipality looking to build more housing in the project is contrary to interrogatories read in the beginning stages of a lawsuit filed by Silver Oak Properties, Buccellato said.

Damages listed in the lawsuit include 390 housing units valued at $6,500,000 in net profits that the suing developer could receive, according to preliminary interrogatory statements.

Really, Paul? So you're now equating 390 units with 1,000 units? We know Mr. Buccellato is a professional architect (more on that later) and not an accountant, but surely he can see that 390 units is far less than 1,000, so trying to rationalize after the fact that "They wanted housing units, too!" reeks of second-grade whining.

Now that article made mention of an Aberdeen proposal that would be more beneficial all-around, and Silver Oaks of course believes their proposal was in the right, so let's delve a bit deeper on that front, shall we? It seems the borough of Matawan and the township of Aberdeen entered into a joint Interlocal Agreement to re-develop the train station and the surrounding area. They then hired the firm of Coppola & Coppola associates as planner for the Interlocal Agency. As planner, Coppola & Coppola was asked to evaluate the various firms that responded to the RFP and come up with a recommendation. Richard Coppola, head planner, is quoted in the Courier of July 28, 2005:

http://bayshorenews.blogspot.com/2005/08/press-conference-erupts-into-debate.html

In September 2002, five teams submitted plans for the project in response to the interlocal agency’s request for proposals (RFP).

Richard Coppola, planner for the interlocal agency, endorsed a proposal by Silver Oaks Properties saying, “This proposal most closely meets the agency’s plan that has been endorsed by both the [Matawan] Borough Council and the [Aberdeen] Township Council.” Aberdeen agreed, selecting Silver Oaks Properties as the town’s redeveloper.

So the borough commisioned an RFP, hired a firm to make a recommendation, and then ignored it completely!?!? What next, an ignored report? Oh, wait...

From The Courier, August 11, 2005 a copy of the report:

http://bayshorenews.blogspot.com/2005/08/matawan-defends-choice-of-columbia.html

September 23, 2002 memorandum from Coppola &
Coppola Associates, planner for the Interlocal
Agency formed by Aberdeen and Matawan

To: Mark Coren, Aberdeen Township Manager

From: Coppola & Coppola Associates

Subject: Request For Proposals
Commerce and Transportation Center
Aberdeen Township & Matawan Borough

Silver Oaks Properties

This proposal is the most consistent with the “Plan” in terms of square footage and the number of dwellings (1,185,800 s.f. of commercial in Aberdeen and 861,600 s.f. of commercial in Matawan, with 60 townhouses and 360 apartments in the Borough). A significant amount of parking spaces (11,497 spaces) are proposed in the garages which form the platforms for the commercial development above. Proposed road improvements are significant, as with the “Millennium Homes” proposal [which wasn’t selected by either town], but appear to be more feasible than that proposed by “Millennium Homes.” While there is a need for an addressment of the required COAH units and there is concern with the sensitivity of the design to the neighboring properties, the proposal could be refined to address these issues.

1. Most consistent with the “Plan,” including non-residential square footage and number of dwelling units.

2. High level of detail and cost projection.

3. Road improvements include use of the Henry Hudson trail for new access ramps parallel to the NJ Transit line to GSP and for a new road to Route 79 using the old transit line.

4. Buildings are high (up to 10 stories); parking garages create platforms for commercial and retail uses above, although some retail will be at ground level.

5. Orientation of commercial area inward to rail line, with plazas and levels of buildings tiered down towards plazas; orientation of residential areas also internal as well as to vistas beyond center.

6. Residential units are in two (2) areas at edge with vistas to lake and marshes; no flats over retail. Office, retail and parking are all intermixed within the core buildings around the train tracks and plazas. Not as sensitive to existing developed areas outside the center, since the buildings will be elevated on top of parking garages (with some street level retail possible).

K. Hovnanian [Columbia Group]

This proposal does not have the detail of the others, especially regarding road and other infrastructure improvements. A total of 1,000 dwelling units are proposed, but with less than 270,000 s.f. of non-residential space in Matawan Borough, and only 382,000 square feet of office/retail space in Aberdeen. The buildings tend to be massive in six, with a six (6) story L-shaped parking garage of 3,800 spaces bordering the existing uses in the area of Harrison and Dolan Avenues.

1. Not consistent with the “Plan”; proposed 1,000 du’s but less than 270,000 s.f. of non-residential space in Matawan and only 382,000 square feet of office/retail space in Aberdeen.

2. Moderate level of detail, but mostly oriented to residential uses.

3. No discussion of infrastructure improvements, except site plan shows “proposed Henry Hudson access road and trail.”

4. Building heights are not clearly specified; 10-story mixed use building in center with one 5-story parking garage in Matawan and two (2) massive stand alone 6-story parking garages and a surface computer [sic] parking lot in Aberdeen.

5. Orientation to central “Village Square,” which has a low profile; most existing development north of Harrison will face two (2) sides of a massive 6-story parking garage.

6. Residential buildings are 4-stories with interior surface parking, all located outside center core and west of Atlantic Ave.

What!?!?!? So the plan that Mr. Buccellato and his cohorts went against was the one that only put 420 units or so in Matawan, and put 861,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. But the one they voted FOR, going AGAINST the report, going AGAINST their partner Aberdeen, going AGAINST the planner they paid for, going AGAINST their own redevelopment plan, was one that put in 1,000 new homes and only 270,000 square feet of commercial/retail. Um, why? As Mr. Coppola says, it doesn't even meet the minimum requirements of what was asked for. It certainly wouldn't benefit the town, as outlined above. Then could it possibly benefit? The developer certainly. And just who is that developer. Who is Columbia Group?

Why it's none other than noted Republican campaign contributor, Jack Morris! Ahhhhh! NOW this is all starting to make sense. I mean, why else would Paul and the gang sell his town and our schoolchildren down the river?

Basically, the allegations were made that Jack Morris contributed to the Republicans, the Republicans went against Aberdeen and the redevelopment plan and appoint Morris' Columbia group instead of Silver Oaks.
Former Assemblyman William Flynnhad this to say in that July 28th Courier article, followed by more from Mr. Buccellato:

“The Columbia Group’s proposal for the Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station is the archetype of bad development…The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District has spent millions upon tens of millions of dollars to provide adequate facilities to the students they educate. How can we ask them to take on the new burden of hundreds of students that the Columbia Group’s proposal will place on them?” Flynn’s written remarks also stated.

Dasaro was joined at the press conference by Democrat candidates for Matawan Borough Council William Malley and Mary Aufseeser, as well as Democrat mayoral candidate William Smith.

Paul Buccellato, a Matawan councilman and the chair of the Matawan Republican Party, also appeared at the press conference and challenged some of Dasaro’s assertions.

“As far as I know nothing was done inappropriately and everything was done above board. We haven’t signed an agreement with anybody; we’re still negotiating,” Buccellato said.

Buccellato also said that the RFPs were kept “under straps” by Coren and that Matawan was not kept in the loop during the interlocal process, statements that Coren vehemently denied.

“[Buccellato’s] statements are self-serving, fallacious and bordering on out-right lies,” Coren said during an interview on Monday. “[Matawan] Borough was totally informed. They did review and signed off on all aspects.”

During the course of the press conference, Malley challenged Buccellato to state his position on pay-to-play.

“How do I feel about it?” Buccellato said. “I think it’s wrong.”

“Don’t you participate in it yourself? You don’t contribute to the [Monmouth County] Republican Party and receive county contracts?” Malley asked.

“If donating to a political party, you feel that’s what’s going on, well —,” Buccellato began, but Malley continued with his challenge.

“Absolutely. I think you’re as guilty as the rest of them,” Malley said.

Buccellato is a principal in Henshell & Buccellato, a Red Bank-based architectural firm. The firm gave the Monmouth County Republican Committee $3,900 between August 2004 and November 2004, according to Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) reports.

On January 13, 2005, Henshell & Buccellato was awarded a $25,000 contract by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to provide “call-in professional architectural services” for the Monmouth County Department of Buildings and Grounds for 2005.

Dasaro ended the press conference by reiterating the timeline of events, as he saw it.

“From what I see, something’s wrong, something stinks. It’s an easy timeline: Morris gives a lot of money to Kyrillos; people allege that Kyrillos steps in; [the] Columbia Group gets pushed through Matawan,” Dasaro said.

Ahhhh, the old Pay-for-play canard. Enough about the train station debacle, I'm sure even the densest among us can understand what's going on now. But remember when we said we'd get back to Mr. Buccellato's day job as an architect? We're back. Councilman Malley did a good job challenging Mr. Buccellato about his pay-for-play activities in the above Courier article, and the Courier did good follow-up mentioning the county contract Mr. Buccellato's firm of Henshell & Buccellato got in January of 2005, after contributing to the county Republicans in the 2004 campaign. Whew! They wasted no time with that one, did they? Of course, that's not he most recent or even the most egregious occurrence--we mean, slap in our faces, is it? Hardly.
From the Asbury Park Press, November 20, 2007:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711200329

High bidder gets pact for county roof design

Freeholders OK $125G contract

FREEHOLD — Days after Republicans retained control of the Monmouth County freeholder board in the Nov. 6 election, the board slipped a $125,400 contract to a politically connected engineering firm, despite the price being the highest of the four qualified bidders.

Paul Buccellato, a Republican councilman in Matawan, is a partner in the company that received the contract to design roof replacements for four buildings.

The bid by Henshell & Buccellato Co. of Red Bank — which for years has sent campaign contributions to the county GOP and received other Monmouth County government contracts — was $30,400 more than a quote from a Somerset County-based competitor seeking its first contract here, and $41,430 over the lowest bid.

Both the company and Sea Girt resident Justin Henshell, Buccellato's partner, have made campaign donations to the Monmouth County Republican Committee dating back to at least 1998 — a total of 13 donations for $11,510 in that time, according to New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission reports.

There's more after the jump if you can stomach the pithy responses from Mr. Buccellato. If you don't recall, this is the one where Mr. Buccellato hypothesizes that the reason he got the job was not because he contributed to their campaign, but because he designs roofs that don't let water in. As opposed, you know, to the other kind.

So there you have it, folks. Our summary of Mr. Buccellato--a terrible custodian of the town's trust, a willful engineer in it's current state of near-blight, and the outright cause of many of our current problems--not the solution. Not only he is the wrong person for the job of mayor, there couldn't be a MORE wrong person than him. If you thought what went on in our neighboring towns of Marlboro and Keyport with their mayors was entertaining, just wait to see what Mr. Buccellato does to our little borough. We'll be all over the state news--and for all the wrong reasons.

If you really think that Mayor Aufseeser has been that ineffective, keep in mind she had to contend with Mr. Buccellato's stonewalling on the council. Now that he's removed, they'll be able to get things going much more quickly. So get out there and vote for her, it's your civic duty. And if you absolutely can't see yourself voting for her whatever reason, do it anyway, but look at it as a vote AGAINST an obvious terrible choice in Mr. Buccellato.

Thanks to the Courier, the Independent, and the Asbury Park Press for the articles that were referenced in this post.