Officials knocks ag panel overhaul

Councilman Gary Bleacher accused Mayor Ron Shapella of removing members with "opposing viewpoints."

By: Linda Seida
   WEST AMWELL — Mayor Ron Shapella announced new appointments to the Agricultural Advisory Committee, replacing three out of four original members to the consternation of Committeeman Gary Bleacher.
   Mr. Bleacher, who voted against the appointments, expressed "disappointment" in Mayor Shapella’s decision to repopulate the board, calling it "bad judgment." Mr. Bleacher also accused the mayor of having a personal need to "purge opposing viewpoints."
   He said, "If we continue to become more and more myopic in our view, we do the residents a disservice."
   Mayor Shapella said he was not trying to purge the board of members whose opinions diverged from his own. The former members of the committee had accomplished nothing of substance, and he wants an advisory committee that is "going to produce something," he said.
   "I just think it was a bad call on your part," Mr. Bleacher said.
   First-year Committeeman William Corboy agreed with the new appointments. He said it’s a "good thing to rotate people on committees," allowing for the emergence of different opinions.
   The Township Committee spelled out the duties of the advisory committee in a new ordinance last month. Previously, no ordinance was on the books to spell out its duties.
   According to the ordinance, the committee’s duties will include the compilation of an inventory of farm properties and a plan for preserving as much farmland as possible, among other things.
   The Township Committee voted 2-1, to approve the appointments during the June 6 meeting after committee members emerged from an hours-long executive session. Mr. Bleacher cast the dissenting vote.
   Appointed to one-year terms were Dave Hauser and Chester Urbanski. Jean Davis and William Kiriluk will serve two-year terms. A fifth seat for a term of three years remains open.
   Mr. Kiriluk was the only member of the committee who was not replaced.
   Mayor Shapella said he also had asked Hal Shute to return to the advisory committee, but Mr. Shute declined.
   Mr. Shute’s decision to not serve is a "shameful loss," Mr. Bleacher said.
   The committee formerly consisted of Mr. Shute, Mr. Kiriluk, former township mayor Bernie Meader and Mike Rassweiller.
   At Mayor Shapella’s request, Mr. Bleacher agreed to remain as the liaison between the Township Committee and the advisory committee.