Spotswood Borough

09/02/2024

Mayor Jackie Palmer's first term has been marked by multiple lawsuits involving the police department.

09/02/2024

08/29/2024

Spotswood Police Chief and Captain Win Reconsideration Motion Against Borough by Michael Robert

Spotswood, NJ – In a significant legal victory, Spotswood Police Chief Philip Corbisiero and Captain Nicholas Mayo have successfully won their reconsideration motion against the Spotswood Borough. The ruling, delivered on August 29, 2024, by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Christopher Rafano, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between the borough’s administration and its police department.

The reconsideration motion was filed after Judge Rafano previously dismissed disciplinary charges against Chief Corbisiero and Captain Mayo on July 19, 2024. The charges, which included allegations of incompetence, insubordination, and discrimination, were deemed improperly handled by the borough. Judge Rafano ruled that the appropriate authority for issuing such disciplinary actions should have been the county prosecutor’s office or the state Attorney General, not the borough’s civilian business administrator1.

In his decision, Judge Rafano emphasized that the borough’s failure to comply with the state’s Internal Affairs Policies and Procedures invalidated the disciplinary actions. He noted that the ongoing investigation by the county prosecutor’s office further prevented the borough from conducting its own parallel investigation1.

Attorney Gina Mendola Longarzo, representing Chief Corbisiero, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, "Mayor Jackie Palmer and Business Administrator Brandon Umba wasted taxpayer dollars on a personal vendetta. Judge Rafano’s decision ensures that the law is upheld and that personal biases do not interfere with justice"1.

The legal battle has been part of a broader conflict within Spotswood’s administration, involving multiple lawsuits and allegations of misconduct. The ruling not only clears Chief Corbisiero and Captain Mayo of the charges but also sets a precedent for how disciplinary actions should be handled within the borough.

As the Spotswood community reacts to this development, the focus now shifts to the ongoing investigations and the potential implications for the borough’s leadership and police department.

For more details on this case and its background, visit MyCentralJersey.com1.

1: MyCentralJersey.com

08/29/2024

Embattled Mayor Jackie Palmer Faces Reelection Amidst Allegations of Corruption and Incompetence

Spotswood, NJ – As the November 5th election approaches, Mayor Jackie Palmer of Spotswood finds herself at the center of a storm of controversy. Palmer, who made history in 2020 as the town’s first female mayor, is seeking a second term despite a series of lawsuits and allegations that have marred her first term in office.

Palmer’s tenure has been anything but smooth. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against her and the borough, primarily by members of the Spotswood Police Department. These lawsuits allege a range of issues, from interference in police operations to personal vendettas. One notable case involves Officer Richard Sasso Jr., who claims Palmer sought to derail his career by preventing his promotion and spreading negative comments about him12.

The situation escalated when a Middlesex County Superior Court judge ruled that a lawsuit filed by Officer Sasso against Palmer and the borough could proceed2. This ruling came after Palmer’s attempts to discipline senior police officers were dismissed by the court for not complying with state internal affairs policies3.

Adding to the turmoil, Palmer has been accused of racism and abuse of power. In one incident, she allegedly ordered the removal of a Black man from a municipal building, citing safety concerns4. This incident, captured on police bodycam footage, has further fueled the accusations of corruption and incompetence against her administration.

Despite these challenges, Palmer remains determined to continue her role as mayor. She has called for the state attorney general to intervene, claiming that the borough’s internal affairs operations are being misused to target and intimidate employees4. Her opponent in the upcoming election, Rich O’Brien, a former member of the Spotswood Board of Education, is positioning himself as a candidate who can restore integrity and trust in the borough’s leadership1.

As the election draws near, the residents of Spotswood will have to decide whether to give Palmer another chance or to opt for new leadership in the hopes of a more transparent and accountable administration.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming election?

08/19/2024

Spotswood Council Meeting 8.19.24

08/16/2024

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/courts/2024/08/16/judge-rules-spotswood-cops-lawsuit-against-mayor-town-can-go-forward/74812505007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEscNJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHX2vAZBPSdeGI4_Qq5TZFt0QaiVL_QMM1hcP7K_QcLxcqMXiAQDi5K8peA_aem_61-pK84qBjybTLrrsNxNfQ

Officer Richard Sasso alleged Mayor Jackie Palmer "personally sought to stymie" his career.

08/16/2024

The Spotswood Borough Business Administrator Brandon Umba's last day was today.....what is Spotswoods next move? At least he can't sabotage the police department anymore...

08/09/2024

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/milltown-slash-spotswood/sections/education/articles/school-supply-lists-available-for-spotswood-school-district-students?fbclid=IwY2xjawEjDedleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWrYn3kqEtRyuJ15T1hgKW3SY_JqX7bMYsuLCRuKDfriEzlAhFgkEm8X_Q_aem_5e0vyYBcvh-UjZCm3-1Ucg

08/02/2024

There are only a few left, of the support signs. Stop by police headquarters before it’s too late!

07/30/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/7ywskuwx

Two appeals have been filed of Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Michael Toto's ruling that bodycam footage of Spotswood Mayor Jackie Palmer allegedly making racist comments to police during a meeting in her office will not be publicly released. The appeals of the May 29 ruling were filed by Gan...

07/19/2024

Join us, have a cup of coffee and meet with officers on August 24, from 8 am to noon! Looking forward to seeing everyone! 💙🇺🇸🚓

07/07/2024

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/milltown-slash-spotswood/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/mother-nature-rains-on-spotswood-spark-in-the-park-again?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3dtG9wPXmbxcPBzm1I7aFehPdaSOO-ryMO6fcktP5gg-o2be_KCzaypAM_aem_yay9PtxKMq2WMxudtRep2w

The Spotswood Administration was not there and the mayor is allegedly in Europe..... go figure

Inclement weather cancels Spark in the Parks main attraction again.

06/22/2024

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A Middlesex County judge has blocked the release of police bodycam footage that a lawsuit claims shows the Spotswood mayor going on a racist tirade.

06/20/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/7e7fyqsg

A Middlesex County judge has blocked the release of police bodycam footage that a lawsuit claims shows the Spotswood mayor going on a racist tirade.

06/18/2024

SPOTSWOOD PD: In observance of Juneteenth garbage. pickup scheduled for 06/19 will be pushed back until 06/20. If your garbage was..

In observance of Juneteenth Holiday garbage pickup scheduled for Wednesday 06/19 will be pushed back until Thursday 06/20. If your garbage was scheduled to be picked up Thursday 06/20 it will be ...

06/18/2024

SPOTSWOOD PD: See email message from OEM regarding Heat Advisory, Cooling Center and Air Quality. nixle.us/FP863 Reply with a friend's # to forward

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality alert for Middlesex and Mercer Counties. This means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become ...

06/07/2024

Thank you to the greatest generation

06/06/2024

Emergency Council Meeting Spotswood 6.6.24

06/04/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/763lrs89

This article contains content summarized with GPT-4 Learn more. It is based on information from spotswoodboro.com, which reflects the perspectives and priorities of the organization. Please consider the specific interests of the source when reading.

06/03/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/75l2b2qx

NEW BRUNSWICK – A Superior Court judge has ruled that bodycam footage of Spotswood Mayor Jackie Palmer allegedly making racist comments to police during a meeting in her office will not be publicly released. Gannett, the publisher of MyCentralJersey.com and the Home News Tribune, and Spotswood res...

05/27/2024

Memorial Day Parade starts Today at 1pm

05/27/2024

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SPOTSWOOD, NJ - Spotswood's Memorial Day Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 253, on Monday, May 27 at 1 p.m. is rain or shine. According to a Nixle Advisory by the Spotswood Police Department, the parade will be canceled if thunderstorms are rolling through the area near or at parade time. In th...

05/22/2024

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SPOTSWOOD – About 20 police chiefs and deputy chiefs came to Monday's Borough Council meeting to deliver a simple message – bring suspended borough Police Chief Philip Corbisiero back to work. And South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, past president and board member of the New Jersey St...

05/21/2024

Congratulations

Congratulations to Senior Gavin Cahill for being selected the 2024 NJSIAA Scholar Athlete.