CENTER TWP — Township supervisors reapproved a lease agreement with state Rep. Tedd Nesbit, R-8th, Wednesday after briefly addressing recent reports of the official being accused of driving under the influence.

Since his first year in office in 2015, Nesbit has leased an office in the public works building on Henricks Road for $100 a month, according to the township secretary. He's regularly there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

The lease happened to be scheduled for reapproval from Center Township's board this Wednesday, just a few days after the representative made headlines for being accused by Mercer County-based state police of driving under the influence Saturday night.

Ron Flatt, board chairman, addressed the pending charges before taking motions for a vote on the lease.

“I believe Tedd Nesbit's a good man,” Flatt said. “He made a mistake. It's been reported widely. I'm fairly sure all of us have made some mistakes of greater or lesser amounts. This one could have been quite serious. Fortunately, it wasn't.

“Having been on the receiving end of some mistakes that affected myself and my family, I understand how that can feel. However, I do think he's a good man who made a mistake.

“We have the opportunity to observe over time his regret for his actions. He's apologized, but as a public figure we have the opportunity to observe his behavior.”

Flatt also spoke broadly in support of the lease agreement, regardless of which specific politician signs it.

“I do think, by the way, that this is a wonderful benefit for residents of the municipality to be able to contact the legislator right there in our office,” Flatt said. “As much as anything, it's for the benefit of the residents.”

The board approved the lease unanimously.

It is a two-year lease.