the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wyckoff NJ, in a sudden and contentious decision, the Wyckoff Township Committee voted 3-1-1 on Tuesday to suspend Pamela Steele, the township’s tax assessor of 30 years, without pay. The abrupt action took place during a special 10-minute meeting, leaving residents and officials questioning the legality and motivations behind the decision.
A Divided Committee
Mayor Peter Melchionne was absent from the meeting due to pending tax appeals against the township. The motion to suspend Steele was introduced by Committeeman Thomas Madigan, seconded by Committeeman Rudy Boonstra, and supported by Committeeman Roger Lane. Committeeman Tim Shanley cast the sole opposing vote, voicing his belief that the suspension was illegal.
Legal Questions Raised
The committee received a four-page letter on Monday from Peter Zipp, an attorney representing the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey, asserting that Steele’s suspension violates state law.
According to Zipp, tenured tax assessors can only be removed for “good cause shown” after a proper hearing before the director of the Division of Taxation. The letter emphasized:
“Such a tenured assessor can be removed only for ‘good cause shown,’ not ‘for political reasons,’ and only ‘after a proper hearing before the director or his [or her] designee.’”
Kevin Esposito, president of the association, reiterated this during the meeting, highlighting that tax assessors are agents of the Legislature, not the municipality.
Steele Defends Her Record
Pamela Steele, who is battling lung cancer, joined the meeting remotely and defended her decades of service to the township:
“I have given dedicated and exceptional service for 30 years. What you are doing is an illegal, unlawful action.”
Her health benefits will continue through March 31, 2025, but the resolution demands that she return all township-related materials and technology by Friday, Dec. 13.
Resolution Details and Lack of Transparency
The resolution, labeled 24-300, provided no specific explanation for the suspension, stating only that “certain issues have arisen regarding the employment and employment status of the assessor.”
The resolution outlines the following actions:
- Authorization for the township labor attorney to file and serve a petition for removal and disciplinary action.
- Continuation of Steele’s health benefits through March 31, 2025.
- A demand for Steele to return all township property by Dec. 13.
- Permission for township and labor attorneys to enforce the resolution.
Community and Political Reactions
The lack of explanation from the committee has sparked frustration and concern among residents and professionals in the field. Committeeman Shanley’s dissent underscores the potential legal ramifications of the decision.
With no additional clarification offered, the suspension of Steele raises broader questions about governance and transparency within the township.
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She better hire an attorney immediately.