Schmierer a member of the Princeton-based law firm of Mason, Griffin and Pierson replaces John Bennett.
By John Tredrea
Edwin W. Schmierer, Princeton Township’s attorney for many years, has a new client: Hopewell Township.
Mr. Schmierer a member of the Princeton-based law firm of Mason, Griffin and Pierson replaces John Bennett, who was Hopewell Township’s municipal attorney for four years.
Mr. Schmierer also serves as attorney for Pennington Borough’s Planning Board.
The Hopewell Township Committee voted 4-1 Feb. 6 to appoint Mr. Schmierer for 2003. Township attorneys have been hired for one-year terms for many years.
Deputy Mayor Marylou Ferrara voted "no" on the Schmierer appointment. Voting "yes" were Mayor Fran Bartlett, Committeewomen Vanessa Sandom and Arlene Kemp and Committeeman Jon Edwards. However, like Ms. Ferrara, Mr. Edwards wanted Mr. Bennett kept on board.
"I have tremendous respect for the work Mr. Schmierer does," said Mr. Edwards. However, Mr. Edwards said the Schmierer appointment "is a disturbing development . . . I’m concerned that this committee is making a retreat from its practice of always appointing the best person for the job, regardless of party."
Like Ms. Ferrara, Mr. Edwards said Mr. Bennett and Fred Rafetto an associate of Mr. Bennett’s who did legal work for the township along with Mr. Bennett and attended some committee meetings as Mr. Bennett’s stand-in "did a fabulous job."
Mr. Bennett, the co-president of the New Jersey Senate, is a Republican.
Of the five members of the current Township Committee, four are Democrats. Ms. Kemp is a Republican.
Mayor Bartlett said the switch to Mr. Schmierer has nothing to do with party politics. "I think the committee is going in an excellent direction," she said. "Change is healthy. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Rafetto did an excellent job. Mr. Schmierer will do one as well."
"I find myself dismayed," was how Ms. Ferrara reacted to the loss of Mr. Bennett. "Four years ago, we hired an excellent attorney who did an excellent job. Mr. Schmierer would be my first choice if we had a real vacancy."
Like Mr. Edwards, Ms. Ferrara noted that the township’s official policies include a standard procedure under which officials, including Township Committee members, can file written statements of dissatisfaction or concern with the job performance of township professionals, including municipal attorney. They noted that, during the past four years, not a single negative comment had been written about Mr. Bennett or Mr. Rafetto.

