Fair Haven Council Sparring Precedes Mayor's Resignation

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Tense moments between Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli and Councilwoman Meghan Chrisner-Keefe characterized the last council meeting on Monday, just a day before Lucarelli announced his resignation, effective immediately.

"The mayor's conduct and behavior directed at me tonight — slamming the gavel on the table — is very unbecoming of a public official," Chrisner-Keefe said at one point. "I ask that you do not do that towards me or anybody else here."

Lucarelli responded by saying that things had gotten out of hand earlier in the meeting, notably with council people speaking over one another.

READ MORE: Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli Resigns, Effective Immediately

"Earlier tonight, Councilperson McCabe said something which was then jumped in by Councilperson Keefe which was then jumped in by Councilperson Neff. Without anybody even saying 'excuse me mayor,'" Lucarelli said. "When I came on the council 12 years ago if you wanted to speak you waited for a pause and you said excuse me Mr. Mayor I would like to be heard."

The mayor also said that when he was elected for borough council in January 2009, he was told that "everybody gets heard, nobody gets shushed and all opinions are respected." However, he said he felt like discourse has deteriorated "tremendously" since then.

"To the point where people in the audience are shouting out any time they please without recognizing the chair. Council people are shouting out and speaking over each other," he added.

Lucarelli admitted that he lost his temper earlier in the meeting and offered an apology to those in the room — Councilperson Chrisner-Keefe in particular.

"Is my apology accepted?," he asked.

The word "accepted" can be heard in a recording of the meeting following his question, presumably said by Chrisner-Keefe.

A resident also addressed the issue by accusing the mayor of mistreatment of both council people and others who attend the meeting.

"Weak man, strong council," that person said. "We've all been subjected to microaggressions, whether it's the gavel or it's a choice of language or it's the way you correct people or speak to them."

Lucarelli offered no explanation for his resignation little over a year before his term was set to expire.

In regards to the reason for his resignation, Lucarelli said "no comment." On whether he plans to run for another office, he replied "I plan on spending more time with my beautiful wife."

"We collectively wish him and his family all the best and look forward to seeing him around town for many years to come," Borough Administrator Theresa Casagrande said in a statement announcing the resignation on Tuesday.