Board member resigns,
rips panel upon exiting
By kathy baratta
Staff Writer
HOWELL — Citing mounting business commitments, Michael Howell resigned from the Planning Board last wee. In March, Howell resigned as vice chairman of the board, citing the same reasons.
Howell, who was appointed to the board in January 2002, was chairman of the board’s master plan subcommittee. He announced his resignation from the board at the Aug. 7 meeting.
At that meeting, Howell read into the record a letter accusing unnamed board members of "political nonsense … spreading innuendo."
Outside the meeting room, Howell said the innuendo involved the newly adopted Planned Retirement Community zone on Route 33 near the Flame Motel. He said that because Crawford Holdings principal, developer Terry Sherman, was a Democratic campaign contributor, there was "innuendo to the effect that the PRC was put in place for his benefit."
Yet, Howell said, when an applicant represented by prominent Republican lawyer Lawrence Bathgate came before the Township Council with the proposal for a 370- to 500-unit apartment complex on Route 33 near the Wall boundary, these same objectors were silent.
Howell would not name who the individuals were, but said, "If you (board members) have proof that zoning was changed in return for favors, bring it out. Don’t just make accusations."
Addressing the rezoning of northern areas of the township two years ago, Howell’s letter had also stated, "Someone has to explain to me as well as the residents of this township why such sweeping changes were made to particular areas of the township and, frankly, I don’t think it will take a whole lot of imagination to figure it out.
"I think it was done to appease certain individuals and that is not what this board should be doing," the letter continued. "It is supposed to be here for all of the residents, not a select, though vocal, few. What was done in some cases was wrong and it can’t be changed from the inside, but rather must be changed from the outside. Hopefully that will be done and those people affected will receive the relief they deserve."
Howell said he would be meeting with residents of Fairfield Road, an area pulled from the sewer master plan, to look at whether Fairfield Road properties should be included in that plan.
Former Planning Board Chairwoman Maria Portilla said that area had been removed from the sewer master plan to control density and planning.
Portilla explained that the state Council On Affordable Housing (COAH) determines a town’s affordable housing obligation according to projected density. She said sewers in that environmentally sensitive area would have meant an increase in the town’s overall affordable housing numbers.
Howell’s letter continued, "The very residents we took an oath to serve have little or no confidence in this body and particularly its leadership, and in fact feel as though the sole purpose of this board is to cater to the desires of a select few. It seems to be that depending on whose political campaign you contribute to, you either face the ire of activists or you don’t."
Howell had also asked that Michael Corzine, one of the newest board members, be picked to serve as chairman of the Master Plan subcommittee.
Planning Board Chairwoman Pauline Smith said the appointment of a new master plan subcommittee chairman was an appointment to be made by the board chair and no one else.
Asked about Howell’s allegations, Smith said, "I have no idea what he is talking about."