Long Branch City Council Faces Scrutiny Over Resolution and Civil Service Hiring Process

The Long Branch City Council meeting on March 12, 2025, was marked by controversy surrounding a resolution related to hiring procedures under civil service regulations. The council faced public criticism over Resolution 45, which addresses the hiring of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officers and the apparent bypassing of established civil service protocols.

During the public participation segment, a resident questioned the resolution’s legitimacy, noting that it mentioned an ordinance adoption requirement, despite council explanations that only a resolution was necessary per state civil service guidance. The resident expressed concerns about potential political motivations behind the resolution, fearing it could open doors for politically favored appointments and bypass qualified candidates who have undertaken the civil service examination process. The council president responded by reiterating that the resolution had been drafted in accordance with state requirements, but declined to offer detailed answers to the resident’s questions, leading to further frustration and accusations of government mismanagement.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance prohibiting parking on the west side of Third Avenue, and another ordinance amending rules around the use and liability of beach storage lockers, bathhouses, and cabanas. Both ordinances had previously been introduced and were adopted without public objection.

The meeting also featured a cultural presentation by a high school student in honor of Irish Heritage Month. Additionally, the mayor highlighted upcoming community events, including a fire history museum open house, a military veterans banner program, and the annual Easter egg hunt, emphasizing continued community involvement in city affairs.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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