Committee delayed until reorganization

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   A new five-member borough committee to oversee a new plan for development and growth in Manville won’t be named until the new mayor takes office, the Borough Council decided last week.
   The council tabled a resolution to appoint members for the Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee until after Lillian Zuza is sworn in as mayor at the January reorganization meeting.
   The aim of the state-mandated committee is to increase public awareness and help to guide the state plan process.
   The plan endorsement process was developed by the state to coordinate municipalities, counties and regional agencies in developing the state economy while protecting resources, providing housing and redeveloping areas of the state.
   Municipalities will create plans each year outlining goals for open space, economic development, infrastructure and other aspects of local improvement, according to Gary Garwacke, borough administrator.
   The committee will be charged with increasing public awareness of the process, guiding it for the borough, submitting documents to the state Office of Smart Growth and completing municipal self-assessments, among other tasks.
   ”We reached our last goals,” he said, adding that former initiatives that were outlined about five years ago included the beautification of Main Street and work on the Rustic Mall site. “The committee will oversee the creation of the new plan.”
   The project itself, Mr. Garwacke said, comes from the State Planning Commission and is a requirement in all municipalities throughout the state.
   Originally, the committee members, as appointed by the council, were Councilman Kenneth Otrimski, Planning Board Chairman Kurt Kagan, Recreation Chairman Michael Janes, resident Jamie Sunyak and Mr. Garwacke.
   The resolution was tabled, however, to account for any changes that may be made in the borough commissions once the new mayor begins her tenure.
   Mr. Garwacke said there is the possibility that there will be changes to positions that are one-year terms or mayor appointments, such as Planning Board members, which could affect who is chosen for the Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee.