Town Manager's Contract Approved, 'Bedside Manners' Aside

You don’t have to like the guy.

That’s the sentiment many supporters of Verona Town Manager Joe Martin expressed Monday night during public comments preceding the renewal of his contract.

The council approved 3-1 a new three-year contract with Martin after listening to members of the public, which overflowed into the hallway and lobby of the council chambers, take turns at the podium for an hour.

Some residents praised Martin for his leadership, his ability to run the town and the work he has done to improve town facilities, despite not being what several referred to as “warm and fuzzy.”

Others begged the council to table the vote in light of a councilman’s recent allegations that Martin threatened him over the phone.

Councilman Michael Nochimson told the Verona Police Department in late June, according to the police report obtained by MyVeronaNJ.com, that Martin called him on his cell phone just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 and proceeded to make intimidating and threatening remarks.

Nochimson said the call came after Martin finally supplied him after numerous requests with a copy of his contract. The councilman said he scanned and distributed the document to fellow council members as part of preparing for the contract renewal process.

Martin, according to Nochimson, was angry he emailed around his contract and allegedly threatened him by saying, “Good luck, watch yourself buddy boy.”

The Hon. Richard Camp, a resident since 1947, used the metaphor of a doctor in an operating room to describe why he thinks Verona needs Martin as a leader.

“You don’t necessarily want someone with bedside manners,” Camp said. “You want someone who can operate.”

Camp challenged the public to find fault in Martin’s capabilities as a manager.

Stephen Johnson reminded members of the council that Martin is the taxpayers’ employee.

“Why do you all seem to keep treating Manager Martin as if he were your daddy or your boss?” Johnson said. “He is your employee.”

Verona Mayor Bob Manley would not specify Martin’s salary under the new contract, which will be finalized this week.

Manley did say trims were made and salary increases were reduced from the previous contract “to be more in line with state regulations.”

“I am very satisfied with the revisions that we made,” he said.

Councilman Nochimson recused himself from voting on the contract upon his attorney’s advice.

Councilman Kevin Ryan cast the lone "no" vote. Ryan said he would have preferred to table the vote until an investigation could be completed regarding Nochimson’s allegations.