Mayor of N.J. town under fire for moving $125K painting out of the public eye and into his office
Updated Mar 17, 2021;
Posted Mar 17, 2021
Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, celebrating Ugly Sweater Day in his office in December 2020 with the historical painting on the wall.Photo courtesy of Michael Melham
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The mayor of an Essex County town says he was trying to save a 200-year-old painting from water damage when he moved the piece – appraised at $125,000 – out of the Belleville Public Library and into his office down the street.
But some have accused Mayor Michael Melham of swiping “Landscape of Belleville,” from the public’s view and hanging it in his locked, private office at Town Hall.