At the May 11, 2016 meeting of the Economic Development Commission, I was tasked with relaying a directive from the township attorney as the council liaison to the commission. The attorney instructed the EDC not to discuss certain matters that may be the subject of potential litigation.
To my shock and amazement, the response from a majority of the commissioners was to in fact ignore legal counsel and proceed to carry on with the prohibited discussions. Councilwoman Ada Erik and I excused ourselves from the meeting as we did not want to participate in a meeting that could prove harmful to the township.
The township attorney is charged with, among other things, protecting the best interests of the municipality. When a legal opinion is communicated to any municipal official, elected or appointed, by the township’s legal counsel each person must cast aside personal emotions, agendas or opinions and put the interests of the township first.
With the ongoing threat of litigation, the EDC’s majority decision to disregard Fred Semrau’s direction creates challenges that could potentially subject the township to liability. That is both troubling and disappointing to me.
I am deeply saddened that certain EDC members chose to ignore Mr. Semaru’s advice and I cannot in good conscience put my personal desire to continue the work of the EDC ahead of my obligation to serve the township and protect West Milford’s interest.
Sincerely,
Mike Hensley, councilman
West Milford