Councilman Alleges Impropriety on Part of Fellow Council Member in Tinton Falls

A routine council meeting in Tinton Falls took a turn for the controversial on Tuesday when responded publicly to allegations made by a fellow council member that she had violated the borough's administrative code.

reported Fama to the borough's clerk and prosecutor for improprieties stemming from an e-mail she sent from her personal e-mail address to over 400 recipients inviting them to an upcoming "meet and greet" with Freeholder Republican candidate Lillian Burry at Fama's home, according to the councilwoman.

Fama's Sept. 24 mass e-mail sent from a Verizon account invited recipients to join her and Mayor Michael Skudera and Councilman Scott Larkin to an Oct. 14 evening gathering at her Tinton Falls home for a "meet and greet with Freeholder Burry."

Mayer took issue with Fama identifying herself as a borough official in the invite and sending the invitation to numerous recipients at tintonfalls.com e-mail addresses. He also alleged that "there is a specific solicitation for campaign contributions," according to Mayer's e-mail.

The e-mail from Mayer was sent on Sept. 28 to Borough Clerk Maureen Murphy and Tinton Falls Prosecutor Sean Kean.

Borough Attorney Brian Nelson said at Tuesday's meeting that he did not identify any violations as Fama's e-mail was generated from her personal account.

Mayer said on Tuesday that the way he read the e-mail, which was sent to him along with all other members of the council and borough administration, Fama was soliciting contributions and it was his "obligation to report it." The bottom of the invitation reads: Donations for Freeholder Burry’s Campaign will be gratefully accepted.

"The only person guilty of a violation is Andy," said Fama. "He works to undermine the efforts of council to work with the administration."

Editor's Note: Patch removed the actual invitation at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Nancyanne Fama's request as it included her home address and personal phone number.