Violations should be prosecuted to fullest extent

Now that it is 2014, it still appears to me that the high point of of the year for the Sussex Borough property owners and taxpayers was when they learned that property in Sussex Borough was worth about $84.9 per square foot, or about $3,698,244 per acre; well at least one specific property supposedly was.

Based on copies of some of the documents that were recenlty provided to me, I am left to wonder if any of our county and/or state law enforcement officials have ever possibly had the occasion to read N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2. Official misconduct? Which reads in part: "A public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, with purposed to obtain a benefit for himself or —."

Official misconduct is a crime of the second degree. As I understand it the statute of limitations for official misconduct is seven years and if the individual is foud guilty, they can receive a five to 10 year vacation courtesy of the state of New Jersey.

Specificially I was provided witha copy of the Memorandum of Agreement between the New Jersey Division, Federal Highway Administration, New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office and Sussex Borough, which read in part: Stipulations, "the FHWA will insure that the folllowing measures are carried out;", 4. "Community Enhancements" and "B. NJDOT shall replace the existing retaining wall on the property of the Sussex In. This wall shall exhibit an ashlar stone pattern. Local stone types and patterns will be examined to refine the design." For those people who are unfamiliar with Sussex Borough, the existing wall that is being replaced has a cement finish, not stone.

On Aug. 11, 2009, Crhis Parrott, as the mayor of Sussex Borough, signed this Memorandum of Agreement for the Borough of Sussex.

This appears to raise a very serious question, was it legal for Mayor Chris Parrott to sign a Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of Sussex Borough when the mayor, or a business owned by the mayor (Sussex Inn), stood to benefit financially directly from the memorandum? No less to the tune of $515,000?

Since this project apparently involves both state and federal highway funds (tax dollars), it would appear that this mmatter must be thoroughly investigated; and, if any violations of the state and/or federal laws are found, prosecuted to the fulleest extent allowed under the law.

Additionally, based on my working in the field of engineering for about 50 years, I believe that someone should actually rethink the entire highway project. It just doesn't make any sense. The only possible benefit I see coming from the project (other than the Sussex Inn getting a new wall) is Sussex Borough might possibly be able to brag that they have the most expensive 100 feet of one-way highway in the state of New Jersey?

William H. Gettler
Wantage Township