The criminal complaint filed by Town Council member Michael Nochimson against Town Manager Joe Martin has been assigned to Livingston’s municipal court.
Earlier this month, the Verona Observer reported that Nochimson had received an allegedly threatening phone call from Martin on May 21. Nochimson waited until June 28 to file a police report after his efforts to resolve the matter privately proved fruitless. Town Attorney Michael Gannaio had attempted to block the release of that police report to the press.
The complaint, which was filed on July 18, alleges that Martin called Nochimson on the evening of May 21 “while under the influence of some substance”. The Observer reported that Martin called Nochimson after the councilman got a copy of the Martin’s contract and distributed it to the other council members. The paper said that Martin threatened Nochimson saying, “Good luck, and watch yourself buddy boy.”
Martin has been Verona’s manager since 2004 and his contract was renewed at the Town Council meeting last week. The contract has not yet been made public because Martin has not signed it.
According to a letter released by Nochimson’s attorney, the criminal case will be heard by the Hon. William H. Williams Jr. The letter does not indicate when the matter will be heard; Livingston’s court meets only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
