JACKSON, NJ – A heated and oftentimes public feud between Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn and Police Chief Matthew Kunz has reached a costly conclusion for the township, as township officials today confirmed a settlement resolving litigation with the longtime chief — one that sources say could total between $1.7 million and $2 million.
Chief Kunz, a 30-year veteran of the Jackson Police Department, announced he will retire on February 1, a decision he said he never anticipated before tensions developed with Mayor Kuhn.
According to several employees within the department, the rift began shortly after Kuhn’s rise to mayor, following the ouster of former Mayor Michael Reina — an effort reportedly backed by Kuhn and Council President Mordechai Burnstein.
Officers said the feud worsened after Kuhn allegedly belittled Kunz in front of subordinates, creating friction that spilled into town hall and ultimately into legal action.
In a statement released by the township, officials sought to clarify the terms of the agreement, describing it as a resolution to long-standing issues predating the current administration.
The release stated: “Township of Jackson announces that a settlement has been signed resolving litigation involving Police Chief Matthew Kunz, and that Chief Kunz will be retiring on February 1, 2026 following many years of dedicated service to the Township and its residents.”
The statement also noted that Kunz had served without an employment contract or salary increases since 2017 under the prior administration, adding that the settlement includes back pay and compensation owed for his years of service.
However, township insiders tell a more complicated story.
The current settlement reportedly follows a previous confidential agreement that Kuhn allegedly violated by discussing the case with the Asbury Park Press, when she publicly described the payout as a “six-figure number.”
Sources now say the final amount is substantially higher, though the township has declined to release details, citing confidentiality terms.
Council President Burnstein noted at a recent meeting that the settlement had been delayed to a a ‘minor detail’, which is alleged to have been the breach of confidentiality by the mayor.
Mayor Kuhn, in the township’s official statement, said the settlement “reflects a clear break from past practices and demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to responsible governance and respect for municipal employees.”
