Clark Township spent $522,000 paying for health insurance benefits paid to its elected officials, even though they were ineligible under state law. This misconduct, detailed in a news report by NJ.com, is part of a troubling pattern in Clark, and serves as yet another example of how lack of oversight betrays the public trust and burden taxpayers. It should also be noted that because the mayor and 3 council members have been in office since before 2010 the town continues to pay their health benefits where almost every other township does not. That is a cost of $124,527 in 2024 when other towns pay $0.
The Law and Its Loopholes
New Jersey law clearly mandates that elected officials must work at least 35 hours per week to qualify for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). This rule, implemented in 2010, was designed to prevent part-time officials from receiving full-time health benefits. Despite these clear requirements, Clark Township Councilman William Smith and Councilman Steven Hund received health benefits for years, costing taxpayers over $522,000.
Both Smith and Hund were seated after the 2010 law took effect, making them ineligible for the benefits they received. Hund, who works as an executive at an insurance company, and Smith, an executive at a mattress supply company, accepted these benefits, which were only recently rescinded in 2023 once the township realized the error. Yet, no effort has been made to recoup the funds improperly spent.
A Leadership Failure
The response from Clark’s leadership raises concerns about accountability. Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, when asked about the situation, claimed that the former business administrator failed to notify officials about the rule change. While the township withdrew the benefits once the mistake was realized, Bonaccorso suggested that Smith and Hund weren’t at fault, implying they didn’t know the rules either.
This lack of accountability is troubling. Whether or not Smith and Hund were aware of their ineligibility, the fact remains that the public’s money was used improperly. Failing to recover these funds sends a clear message: those in power aren’t held to the same standards as their constituents, many of whom struggle to afford basic health insurance. This is particularly damning given Hund’s background in the insurance industry, where one might expect greater familiarity with the rules.
Broader Implications for Clark Residents
The misuse of public funds in Clark is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of misconduct in town. Clark residents deserve transparency and accountability from their elected officials, especially when it comes to the misuse of taxpayer dollars. The township’s failure to act decisively to correct these wrongs—and its reluctance to hold Smith and Hund accountable—highlights a serious governance issue.
This scandal comes at a time when Clark faces other pressing issues, such as the ongoing concerns about PILOT developments, abandoned properties like the A&P site, and rising school taxes. In this context, the illegal payments to ineligible officials only add to the growing frustration among Clark residents who feel that their interests are being neglected in favor of personal gain by their leaders.
A Call for Accountability
Clark Township must address this issue with greater transparency and accountability. Residents should demand better oversight and expect their elected officials to work in the public’s interest, not exploit the system for personal gain. Public trust is fragile, and when misconduct like this goes unaddressed, it deepens distrust toward local government. Clark residents deserve leaders who prioritize their community’s well-being over personal enrichment. This isn’t about pointing fingers but about making sure that Clark is operating in a way that’s fair to everyone. The people of Clark work hard, and they deserve a government that’s just as diligent in how it spends public funds. It’s time to re-evaluate these practices and ensure that Clark is keeping up with the standards set by other towns across New Jersey.
