The township’s former fire chief and director of emergency services will receive a $500,000 payment to end a civil lawsuit alleging his job was eliminated because of his political activities.
The Township Committee narrowly approved a resolution authorizing the payment as part of a settlement with former fire chief Jason Carty, whose position was eliminated in April 2016 after less than two years on the job.
At the time, the three committee members who supported the decision argued it was made for economic reasons and that eliminating Carty’s $100,000 annual salary and benefits would save the township money and help hold the line on taxes.
In his lawsuit, Carty, of Lumberton, claimed the move was retaliation for his political support of Democratic candidates.