HILLSIDE -- Already in a legal battle with her police chief, Mayor Angela Garretson now faces five summonses that a township officer issued her in July.

Garretson faces summonses charging her with disregarding an officer's hand signals, obstructing passage of vehicles, improper passing, talking on a cellphone and driving through a safety zone.

All of the tickets were issued by Officer Matthew Casterline, the president of the union representing township police officers.

The alleged violations occurred at 9 a.m. July 12, on Hillside Avenue near Hilldale Place, while Garretson was driving a 2016 Mercedes SUV, according to the tickets.

Casterline was working an outside overtime job at a construction work site, according to the summonses, copies of which were obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Casterline filed the summonses the next day.

The violation for improper passing carries a 4-point penalty upon conviction. The summonses for failing to obey an officer's signals, obstructing traffic and driving through a safety zone each carry a penalty of 2 points on a driver's license upon conviction.

Talking on a cellphone while driving carries a $200 to $400 fine on conviction of a first offense.

Garretson, when asked about the tickets, said in a text message, she could not comment because of "pending litigation."

"Can not comment at this time under advise of counsel," Garretson said.

Hillside municipal court officials said all the summonses have been transferred to the Union Township Municipal Court to avoid a conflict of interest.

Union Township court officials on Thursday said information about the case was not available.

Garretson is in a legal battle over police Chief Louis Panarese. In March, Garretson demoted the chief to captain, saying Panarese had never taken the civil service exam for the department's top spot. Township officials, including former Mayor Joseph Mensa, said they had requested that the test be waived when Panarese was appointed in 2013.

In June the township council voted to reinstate the chief, and Garretson filed a lawsuit, contending that she, and not the council, had the authority to appoint the chief. Garretson had appointed Capt. Richard Floyd to serve as acting chief. However, Floyd retired at the end of July.

Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy ordered that Panarese serve as chief until the lawsuit goes is resolved.

Panarese has also filed suit against the mayor and the township over his demotion and lost wages.

Casterline, as the union president, has been critical of Garretson and has spoken in support of Panarese remaining as chief.

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Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.