JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The nonprofit group Concerned Citizens for a Better Jefferson has filed a civil lawsuit against Jefferson Township and several municipal officials, citing multiple violations related to salary laws, public record access, and government transparency.
The verified complaint, filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Morris County, alleges that the Township unlawfully implemented the 2025–2028 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for white-collar employees, approved on December 18, 2024, without properly adhering to the Township’s own salary ordinance, Ordinance #21-25, and state laws requiring public salary approval through ordinance.
According to the lawsuit, salaries for several employees—union and non-union—exceeded the legal maximums outlined in the ordinance. Notably, the complaint highlights instances such as the $163,000 salary for Business Administrator Debra Milliken and the $226,376 salary for Police Chief Paul Castimore, surpassing the established salary caps.
The group also contends that the Township failed to provide adequate public access to the CBA despite formal Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests in March 2025. Officials allegedly delayed the agreement’s release, citing attorney review, even though it was already being implemented. The plaintiffs argue this delay obstructed public oversight and masked potential law violations.
In addition, the lawsuit claims that the Township violated the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) by adopting resolutions without required public notice or supporting documents, such as the full text of the CBA, and by approving budget items tied to unauthorized salary increases without informing the public.
The complaint names the Township of Jefferson, Business Administrator Debra Milliken, and Municipal Clerk Michele Reilly as defendants. It seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, requesting the court to halt the enforcement of the improperly implemented CBA, compel the Township to comply with existing salary ordinances and transparency laws, and prevent further unauthorized salary payments.
Attorney Marco Di Stefano filed the suit on behalf of the organization’s representative.
A court date has not yet been set.
