JACKSON, N.J. — The Jackson Township Council and Interim Mayor Jennifer Kuhn will deploy police officers at the town hall during public meetings after a resident went two minutes over his allotted five-minute speaking time at the most recent township meeting.
The township council shut down public comment after resident Adam Haidi, also a member of the Jackson Township Environmental Commission, criticized Interim Mayor Kuhn and the council for spending an estimated $10 million of open space funds for projects other than purchasing new open space.
Now, because of that criticism and violation of council meeting speaking limits, Jackson Township will begin stationing a police officer inside the council chambers during every Township Council meeting.
The enhanced security measures are part of a broader effort by Mayor Jennifer Kuhn’s administration to tighten security at Town Hall, including locking secondary entrances and directing visitors to use the building’s main entrance on West Veterans Highway.
Kuhn and Burnstein told the Asbury Park Press they are not safe in the town hall, claiming employees are also worried, though no employees have publicly come forward to verify that claim.
Last month, Kuhn, who touts herself as a model of public transparency, turned the once-always open municipal building into a single-entry facility to secure the township workers and herself from the public.
“These enhancements are designed to strengthen building security, improve accountability and access management, and provide an additional layer of protection for Township employees and residents who visit Town Hall to conduct business,” Kuhn said in a statement provided to another news outlet.
Public comment dispute prompts security changes
The decision follows the June 23 Township Council meeting, where resident Adam Haidi exceeded the township’s five-minute public comment limit.
According to the meeting recording, Haidi continued speaking after Council President Mordechai Burnstein repeatedly informed him his time had expired. Burnstein repeatedly stated that the allotted five minutes had ended, but Haidi continued speaking for approximately seven minutes before public comment was closed.
Haidi, who also serves on Jackson Township’s Environmental Commission, eventually left the podium after the meeting was adjourned.
Council calls on police to enforce public speaking time limits at future meetings to prevent free-speech ‘chaos’ from taking over the meetings.
Following the incident, Council Vice President Giuseppe Palmeri said police officers should be available to enforce meeting rules if similar situations arise.
“Even during public comment, after being clearly informed that he would have five minutes to speak, he refused to comply once his time expired,” Palmeri said. “Despite the Council President stating at least six to eight times that his time had ended, he continued speaking, ignored repeated directives, and ultimately turned the meeting into chaos, forcing an adjournment and preventing the orderly conduct of public business.”
Palmeri also questioned the conduct of appointed township officials during public meetings, signaling that he wants to remove Haidi from his position after exercising his First Amendment right to criticize and question local government.
“What makes this even more concerning is that this individual currently serves on township boards and committees,” Palmeri said. “Individuals entrusted with appointed public roles should be held to a higher standard of professionalism, civility, and respect for governing bodies—not contribute to disorder.”
Broader security measures at Town Hall
The police presence is the latest in a series of security changes implemented under Kuhn’s administration.
Earlier this year, the township announced that all secondary entrances to Town Hall would be locked during business hours, requiring visitors to enter through the main entrance beginning June 15.
In the notice, township officials cited security concerns as the reason for restricting public access.
Kuhn has called the police after residents criticized her governing.
Responding to Kuhn’s call to the police headquarters, officers were dispatched on March 23 after she reported receiving a telephone call at Town Hall during which an unidentified caller allegedly cursed at her and said she “shouldn’t be mayor.”
Balancing security and public participation
Public comment periods at municipal meetings are governed by local rules that typically establish time limits to ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak and meetings can proceed in an orderly manner.
While governing bodies may adopt reasonable regulations on the time, place and manner of public comment, residents retain the right to address elected officials during designated public comment periods.
Beginning with the July 14 Township Council meeting, a Jackson police officer will be assigned inside the meeting room to assist if residents go over their five minute time limits.
The township is already being sued in federal court by resident Elanor Hannum who was forcibly removed by police after she criticized an alleged affair between Interim Mayor Kuhn and a township police officer.
“You’re out of order,” Kuhn banged her gavel and ordered Hannum to be removed. Kuhn is also facing multiple other lawsuits from township employees, former employees, and litigation expected soon from others who have had negative dealings with the interim mayor.
Shore News Network is now actively investigating claims that Kuhn is using township code enforcement to punish people who speak out against her and the township council. Check back later this week for more on those allegations.
