To the Residents of Mount Laurel Township:

This public notice is issued to promote transparency and keep the Mount Laurel community informed about township and Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) activities. Please note that this is not an OPRA request or a formal complaint. It is a copy of a document recently submitted to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for informational purposes only. The following outlines concerns raised in that submission, intended to foster openness and engagement. These are allegations only; all parties are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

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Re: Concerns Regarding Michael Muller (Chairman, Mount Laurel Democratic Municipal Committee) and Potential Conflicts Involving State Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy – Allegations of Favoritism and Oversight Issues

Dear Mount Laurel Residents,

As a resident of Mount Laurel Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, I am sharing this notice to highlight potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns involving Michael Muller, Chairman of the Mount Laurel Democratic Municipal Committee, and his spouse, State Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy (LD-7), who also serves as the Majority Whip in the New Jersey General Assembly. Their respective roles in local and state politics appear to create circumstances that may prioritize partisan interests over the welfare of our community, potentially undermining public trust and township governance.

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Key Concerns

A. Influence in Local and State Politics
Mr. Muller, as Democratic Chair, played a significant role in the 2018–2021 shift of the township council to Democratic control, which may have enabled undue influence over municipal decisions. Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Murphy—holding a key leadership role as State Assembly Majority Whip—has supported legislation such as A-4242/S-2460 (2019), which blocked a nonpartisan election referendum in Mount Laurel. This action appears to reinforce partisan control and raises questions about impartiality under N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5, suggesting possible coordination between Muller and Murphy for political or personal benefit.

B. Oversight Challenges in Township Governance and MUA Operations
Under the current Democratic-led council, several troubling issues have emerged within the Mount Laurel MUA, including:

·A 2025 criminal case involving an MUA employee charged with serious offenses, raising questions about hiring and oversight practices.

·Persistent PFAS contamination, with levels reported at 7.6 ppt in MUA-supplied water, posing potential health risks due to inadequate remediation efforts.

·A 2022 lawsuit filed by developer Delco against the MUA, alleging excessive requirements on an affordable housing project at Route 38 and Ark Road. The dispute delayed development and worsened local housing challenges related to the Mount Laurel Doctrine.

These incidents indicate possible oversight failures where party loyalty may supersede accountability, affecting water quality, public safety, and taxpayer burdens. Concerns persist regarding Muller and Murphy’s indirect influence—through endorsements, policy support, or state funding decisions—without adequate transparency.

C. Transparency and Public Records Access
Assemblywoman Murphy’s support for the 2024 OPRA reform bills (A-4150/S-2930)—criticized for restricting public access to government records—appears inconsistent with residents’ need for transparency in local matters, including MUA oversight. This contrasts with her past actions, such as filing a 2014 ELEC complaint against political opponents, suggesting a selective approach to oversight that targets rivals while shielding potential internal conflicts.

D. Ethical Concerns and Community Impact
The actions described may conflict with Mount Laurel Code § 4-87 (prohibiting use of public position for personal or family benefit) and state ethics laws (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5). The absence of public disclosures concerning Muller and Murphy’s spousal relationship—and the lack of recusals in overlapping matters—has fostered perceptions of favoritism and diminished public trust.

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Requested Actions

To address these concerns, the submission to the Department of Community Affairs requested the following:

1. A review of campaign finance records via the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) for any undisclosed financial or political connections.

2. Interviews with township and MUA officials to evaluate governance and oversight practices.

3. An examination of state funding allocations to Mount Laurel potentially influenced by Assemblywoman Murphy’s position as Majority Whip.

4. Consideration of new disclosure and recusal protocols, and sanctions if warranted, to ensure accountability in local government.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Sincerely,

Red Tape Reality