Argument Sparks Effort To Remove Colts Neck Planning Board Vice Chair

COLTS NECK, NJ — A heated argument between Colts Neck’s deputy mayor and the vice chair of its Planning Board at a November League of Municipalities event has led to an effort to oust the vice chair from the planning board, in what he says is an effort to halt his criticisms of the town’s affordable housing efforts.

Details of the dispute that began in November were aired on April 1 during a special township committee meeting held to determine whether Kris Lukowitz, the planning board vice chair, would be removed from the planning board.

Lukowitz and Deputy Mayor Michael Viola got into an argument in Atlantic City on Nov. 20, 2024, during the annual League of Municipalities event, which stemmed from existing tensions between the two men, officials said. The argument turned physical, with both men ending up with their hands on each other.

Mayor Tara Torchia Buss and former Committeeman JP Bartolomeo, who were standing nearby when the argument happened, intervened when it turned physical, officials said.

At the April 1 hearing, Viola said the incident began when he and Lukowitz made eye contact, and Lukowitz asked Viola, “What are you looking at?” in a tone Viola characterized as “aggressive.”

Viola said he answered, “Nothing much,” but it escalated. He accused Lukowitz of “violently grabbing” both sides of his lapel, pushing him backward, and verbally threatening him by saying, “I’ll f—g destroy you.”

Lukowitz’s attorney, Bill Blaney, argued that Viola initiated the argument, saying Viola stared down Lukowitz and “rushed him” after Lukowitz told him not to and then told Lukowitz he “better not mess with affordable housing issues.”

Viola said he put his hands on Lukowitz’s only after Lukowitz had grabbed him, saying he did so to brace himself, citing spinal issues.

Lukowitz, who did not testify at the April 1 hearing, said in an emailed statement that the effort to remove him is a response to his stance on affordable housing issues.

“I was asked to serve on the Planning Board by members of the Township Committee, and then nominated by my peers to serve as Vice Chairman. During my time on the [planning] board, I have consistently challenged the Township Committee’s decisions on overdevelopment and building of high-density complexes,” Lukowitz said. “For this, the committee has taken extraordinary steps of hiring two law firms and spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars all to remove me, a citizen volunteer serving on the board.”

“This all stems from a verbal altercation about the town’s affordable housing plan incited by Deputy Mayor Michael Viola,” Lukowitz wrote. “Two grown men got into a heated argument. Afterwards, I offered to settle the matter over a cup of coffee, but Viola hired a law firm at the township taxpayers’ expense instead.”

“He has insisted on pursuing what I consider to be a childish vendetta that has embarrassed Colts Neck and the entire Township Committee,” Lukowitz wrote. “It’s silly and a waste of time and money.”

“This case, in combination with the Township Committee’s disastrous decisions on affordable housing, illustrate a complete failure of leadership by the Township Committee, which I hope voters will take into account later this year,” Lukowitz said. “I’m happy to remain in service on the Planning Board, but that decision appears to have been taken out of the hands of myself and the people of Colts Neck at this time, all because someone spoke up and challenged these people. Isn’t that what democracy is all about?”

Neither man spoke with Atlantic City police at the time, but in January, Lukowitz brought it up at a planning board meeting, officials said. Viola then filed a complaint in Atlantic City Municipal Court, and Lukowitz filed a counter-complaint against Viola. Both complaints are pending.

The incident was investigated after Township Administrator Kathleen Capristo learned of the fight, leading to the April 1 hearing to determine whether or not Lukowitz violated township policies and should be removed from the board, officials said.

Township Attorney Andrea Wyatt argued that Lukowitz “inappropriately and aggressively” put his hands on Viola during the fight and said the town’s request to remove Lukowitz is because of those actions and because they violate the town’s Workplace Violence Policy.

Blaney contended that Lukowitz wasn’t at the event in his capacity as a township official and wasn’t doing anything township-related. Blaney said that the incident has been spun due to “political undercover issues” and that it’s really “all about affordable housing.”

Viola rejected Lukowitz’s accusations during his testimony at the April 1 hearing.

“False claims were made of conspiracy [at the planning board meeting],” Viola said, “and my concern was I didn’t hear anything from Mr. Lukowitz from Nov. 20 to that point, and what I’m hearing at this meeting is some fantasy of collusion between the land use attorney and the labor attorney — that there was some collusion, that this was all about affordable housing, and my objecting to Mr. Lukowitz and then trying to get him removed.”

Viola declined to comment further in a statement emailed to Patch, saying that because the process is still ongoing, any comment at this time would be inappropriate.

The hearing concluded without a decision on Lukowitz’s status. Steven Secare, the independent hearing officer, said he will write a recommendation to the governing body on what action should be taken, and the committee will make a final decision.

During the public comment at the meeting, some residents expressed frustration with the committee and how the situation was being handled.

“Two men, acting like little boys, have a difference of opinion … get over it,” resident Kevin O’Brien said. “In my view, that is not cause to have this man [Lukowitz] removed from office or the spending of $10,000 in legal fees for a private testosterone battle.”

“The burden of proof is on the prosecutor in a criminal case. Each is presumed innocent until the matter is adjudicated by a judge,” O’Brien continued. “If one fails to prove their case or the prosecutor elects not to hear the matter, the claim will be dismissed. Don’t put the cart before the horse.”