Man Charged With Threatening To Shoot Zoning Officer

Joseph Bottigliero, 63, of Kingston, N.Y., was arrested by Wednesday for allegedly threatening a borough employee. 

According to Police Chief Frank Papapietro, the threat was made as a result of building code violations that had not been corrected at a residence on Summit Ave.

He said that because the violations had not been resolved, the zoning officer determined that the residence was unsafe. Despite being advised by the zoning officer on how to correct the violations issued on the property, Papapietro said that all of those suggestions were ignored. 

Papapietto said that on April 10, Bottigliero, the brother of the property owner, phoned New Milford's zoning officer and told her that she should be shot. Papapietro added that Bottigliero also informed the zoning officer that he would call the borough attorney and have her terminated. 

Papapietro said that during their investigation into the matter, New Milford Police learned that a separate incident involving Bottigliero occured when he told the borough's welfare director that he kills women and children.

"People need to learn to choose their words carefully," Papapietro said. "Given the degree of animosity toward municipal, county and state workers that has crept into our culture there is a heightened sense of awareness when it comes to statements concerning their safety."

Papapietro said that Bottigliero was arrested Wednesday by Officers Darrell Marshall and Derek Mattessich and charged with criminal coersion. He added that criminal coersion is a fourth degree crime and the matter will be referred to a grand jury.

Papapietro said that Bottigliero was released on $5000 bail pending an April 18 court appearance. He also said that a condition of his bail bars Bottigliero from having contact with any borough employee.  

"The news is filled with attacks occurring in the workplace," Papapietro said. "Most municipal buildings have security design flaws making the employees vulnerable to an outside threat."

He added, "Municipal workers and their counterparts on the state and county level need to be secure in the knowledge that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their safety or reprisal.”