Shining a light on the Colts Neck government

Colts Neck Town Clerk resigned October 29th, 2025. Opposed to hiring a replacement, Colts Neck Elected Officials gave the Town Administrator $5,000 more a month to do both full time jobs.

The past Mayor shared, the Town Administrator was looking to retire. The $5,000 per month could become $60,000 for the year, if no one is hired. $60,000 plus the $198,000 base salary, makes for a very attractive year income before retirement.

Our elected officials have refused to respond for months on the status of hiring a new clerk. They do take care of their own, don’t they?

Under Colts Neck Code 46-5 the Town Administrator is the Chief Administrative person. Yet the Town Administrator, having grown to big for her britches, stated residents should look at her as the CEO. Under state law, the Mayor is the CEO.

Also concerning is the Town Administrator failure to support Township Code 46-6D. The ordinance was created 56 years ago to document complaints concerning the functions and obligations of Colts Neck to its residents. The ordinance has been ignored too long!

Can’t recall the Town Administrator keeping the Township Committee informed, per Code 46-6k, on state aid for the preservation of the historic one room, Montrose school house built 1805 or 1812 or funds available from NJ office of Homeland Security, which closed applications January 11th.

Committee Member John Tobia, new to the town committee, asked for a report on the history of the proposed 5 Points Bathroom. The 4 bids averaged $1.5 million. Two weeks later, the report had not been created by the Township Administrator.

Is the Town Administrator too busy to do the work she is paid to do or is this reflective of the Town Committees’ continued attempt to deny Member Tobia access to government records?

Colts Neck spent $60,000 on design plans for the park bathroom. The Town Administrator wrote in 2025, the park bathroom plan was abandoned.

Four months later, a grant application was submitted showing a project cost estimate of $742,500 for the park bathroom. There are no public records showing any price estimates to justify the $742,500.

In November, Colts Neck Sports Foundation wrote of having an architect and builder at 5 Points to evaluate the bathrooms. Converting the storage building to bathrooms, was noted as an option.

Is there a quid pro quo in place for the Sports Foundation to pick up the price of the new park bathroom architect? Perhaps the Colts Neck governing body approving the Sport Foundation’s request at the budget workshop for a $35,000 score board, a $60,000 fence, a $20,000 wind screen, $35,000 for irrigation, $30,000 bleachers and or the $50,000 request to convert Laird’s one ball field into two?

Lack of government transparency, is defined as insufficient disclosure of decision making and actions, which severely hinders accountability, it also fosters public mistrust.