State of New Jersey Ormice oF THE AtroNey GENERAL ‘Awwe Minor Jon S. Conzne Department oF Law anp Pupuc Sarery ierag Oar ea Division or Canuat Jusmice eee POBox0as TRENTON, NJ 086250085 Grecory A. Paw TELEPHONE: (609) 9848500 Director _ August 16, 2007 i Mansfield Township 100 Port Murray Road Port Murray, NJ 08878 — Re: Complaint against Joseph E. Watters, Mayor of Mansfield - CJ# 2007-00888-IC The above-captioned matter is being forwarded to you for your review and whatever action you deem appropriate. The Division of Criminal Justice has reviewed the matter and determined criminal prosecution is not warranted, The investigation has reveled that the then Mayor of Mansfield, Joseph E. Watters, on or about May 11, 2005, ordered the Mansfield DPW crew under the supervision of Brent Sliker to come to Mr. Watters” farm to remove some old tires that were on the property. Said tires were taken to the local DPW depot and disposed of, It should be noted that during this time period a special county wide program was in effect allowing any resident to bring their used tires to the DPW depot and they would be disposed of at no cost to the residents. Therefore while itis clear that the Mayor should not have requested the DPW to come to his property and remove the tires, the conduct itself with the accompanying minimal cost can be viewed as de minimis.( 2C:2-11) ‘There is also a second allegation that on December of 2004, millings were being spread on ‘town maintained road, which abuts the Mayor's own private road leading to his home. The Mayor in this instance requested that DPW supervisor Slicker dump some additional millings, (which the town does receive free of charge), at the end of the road so that the Mayor could hire his own independent contractor to spread these free millings on his private road. Again while the conduct by the mayor may have been inappropriate, the cost fo the town was minimal and therefore also de minimis in nature. Ie Bel omen AS ete ne ms pa @Page 2 ther formal legal ‘ouncil results in an investigation, OF 0! referencing our In the event a review by your C ng advised of the disposition of the matter proceeding, we would appreciaté being Criminal Justice number listed above stance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Lewis J. Kom: Corruption Bureau If the Division can be of any assis -Thank you for your continued cooperation. ‘Sincerely, Attachments