Council adopts Brookdale lease resolution despite public objections over appraisal and conflicts

The Long Branch City Council voted May 27 to adopt Resolution R105-26, authorizing a contract concerning the Brookdale building after the council president recused himself. Vice President Dangler moved the resolution; roll call recorded four yes votes and one recusal, and the motion passed.

Why it matters: Public speakers said the measure would give Brookdale College use of the second floor of the McDonald House under a 15-year lease with no rental fee, and they argued the city had not attached an appraisal to the record. That allegation touches on transparency and financial oversight for municipal property transactions.

What happened: At the public-comment portion, Vincent Lepore of 33 Ocean Terrace read sections of the contract that, he said, describe a “15-year term with no rental fee.” He also said an appraisal had not been provided with the ordinance or resolution and urged the council to put any purchase decision to a public referendum. Lepore alleged possible favoritism and a “pay-to-play” relationship involving local officials; he urged a no vote on a related resolution (106).

Council action and procedure: Vice President Dangler moved adoption of Resolution R105-26. During the roll call vote the council president recused himself because he said he works at Brookdale; the remaining members voted to approve the resolution. The clerk confirmed no changes had been made to the listed resolutions and the council took the listed resolutions as consent items.

What the record shows and what it does not: The council’s action is recorded in the meeting minutes and on the consent agenda. Public commenters asserted there was no appraisal attached to earlier ordinance filings or to the resolution before the council. The transcript shows the contract language referenced by a speaker and the recusal by the council president; it does not show an appraisal in the record, nor does it contain a separate public hearing for the purchase. The resolution passed as presented.

Next steps and context: The council adopted the resolution on the consent agenda; the transcript does not specify subsequent steps (for example, final contract execution dates or implementation details). A resident urged that future purchases be put to a referendum; the council did not adopt that request during the meeting.

Quotes: “The lease agreement shall have a 15-year term with no rental fee during said term,” read Vincent Lepore, who also called the arrangement a “political patronage pay-to-play gravy train.” The record shows the council president recused himself from R105-26 because of his employment affiliation with Brookdale.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 0-10-26 (community pool mid-season rates) — adopted on second/final reading (roll call yes votes recorded). Ordinance 0-11-26 (handicap parking at 307 Chelsea Ave) — adopted on second/final reading (roll call yes). Ordinance 0-12-26 (handicap parking at 1185 Elberon Square) — adopted on second/final reading (roll call yes). Resolution R105-26 (Brookdale lease/purchase-related) — adopted; council president recused. Ordinance 13-26 (cap bank/budget appropriation limits) — introduced on first reading and public hearing set for June 10, 2026.

What to watch for: Whether an appraisal or additional procurement details are posted to the city record, any subsequent council votes related to Brookdale property, and any public requests for referendum or further review.

Sources: Public comment and council roll-call recorded at the May 27, 2026 Long Branch City Council meeting. All quotations and procedural details are taken from the meeting transcript.