Challenge to 2021 election continues as judge halts issuance of bonds

The South Hunterdon Regional School District may not vote to issue $33.4 million in school construction bonds until a state appellate court decided if they will hear an appeal of a lower court ruling that upheld a November 2021 referendum decided by two votes.

“The issuance of any bonds under the referendum is stayed until further order of this court,” Appellate Court Judge Catherine Enright stated in an order signed on Thursday.

The election was challenged by a group of elected officials and community leaders from West Amwell who oppose the construction of a new school in Lambertville.  They are represented by attorney Matthew Moench.

Superior Court Judge Michael O’Neill permitted young adults who no longer live with their parents to continue voting from their own address and invalidated the vote of a 93-year-old woman whose signature didn’t match – the voter died one month after the election – leaving the results of the referendum untouched.

Enright gave the plaintiffs until July 22 to file a motion for emergent relief, with response briefs due on June 27.

The attorney for the school district Scott Salmon, told O’Neill that a vote on the bonding was set for June 20.