The last three Council meetings have been a whirlwind of rushed resolutions, amended agendas, and executive orders—most of which passed with minimal discussion. Among the most troubling decisions was the abrupt dissolution of the Ethics Council, despite the Mayor ignoring a simple solution: electing new members.

Instead, the Council chose to hire a high-priced media firm with deep political ties, costing Berkeley Heights families $30,000.

Adding to the spending, the Mayor and Council approved over $400,000 in taxpayer dollars for legal services, selecting eight law firms, nearly all of which have a history of significant political campaign contributions.

The Firms & Their Political Spend:

Jardim Meisner Salmon Sprague & Susser – $100,000

• Led by a former Westfield mayor who once ran for Assembly.
• Over the years, the firm and its attorneys have donated at least $23,000 to NJ political campaigns (NJ ELEC).
• Fun fact: “Jardim” means “Garden” in Portuguese.

McManimon, Scotland & Baumann – $80,000 (Two Resolutions)

• Hired as Township Bond and Redevelopment Counsel.
• Firm and employees have contributed nearly $200,000 to NJ political campaigns.

DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum – $80,000

• Led by a well-known name in NJ politics, particularly in Union County.
• From 2019-2023, the firm donated over $100,000 to NJ political campaigns, including $14,000 to Jon Bramnick.

Weber Dowd – $20,000 (Two Resolutions)

• Serving as the Township’s OPRA and Special Conflict Attorney.
• Employees have contributed $93,000 to NJ political campaigns since 2009.
• We suspect an increase in OPRA requests requiring legal review—strategically driving up costs while blaming OPRA itself. This tactic echoes past mismanagement that severely impacted our school district.

Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy – $15,000

• Appointed as the Labor Attorney for the police.
• Has contributed over $275,000 to NJ political campaigns since 1991.

Savo, Schalk, Corsini, Warner, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher – $50,000

• Five of its eight partners have given over $90,000 to NJ political campaigns.
• Tasked with Waste & Wastewater services.

Surenian, Edwards, Buzak & Nolan LLC – $50,000

• Handling Affordable Housing matters.
• One individual alone has donated $18,600 to NJ political campaigns over the past four decades.

McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP – $50,000

• Serving as the Labor & Personnel firm.
• 12 of its 42 NJ-based partners have contributed over $30,000 to political campaigns since 2017.

Keep in mind that the actual amount of political contributions is likely much higher than what’s reflected here. This is just a sampling from each firm, based on available records. To be included, contributions had to show a clear connection to the firm—either through the firm’s name or an individual employee’s name and address in the official records.

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