HILLSBOROUGH: Planning Board gets a reshuffle

By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
   Membership on the township’s two land-use boards got a bit of a shuffle Thursday when the local government reorganized for 2013.
   Former mayor Michael Merdinger, who retired as township administrator in August, was returned to the Planning Board.
   Marian Fenwick, a Planning Board member and its chairwoman in 2004, 2005 and 2006, shifted to the Board of Adjustment. That opened a Planning Board spot for Bob Wagner, whose state job barred him from running for a fourth term on the Township Committee in 2012.
   Township Committeeman Frank DelCore was chosen as mayor and was sworn in by state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who is also a township resident.
   When Mr. Delcore, who led the committee in 2009 and 2010, slid over from the adjacent seat, last year’s mayor, Carl Suraci, asked, “The chair still fit?”
   Mr. DelCore is a Republican as are all members of the governing body.
   He noted that 2012, while made difficult by Hurricane Sandy, saw milestones in the township. The Claremont sewer project was finished, solar panels were installed on the municipal complex roof, and the building itself was named in honor of former mayor and Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi.
   He pledged to stay true to his campaign pledge to be a fiscal watchdog, noting the $1.5 million reduction in the 2012 municipal budget reduced it to pre-2007 levels.
   ”Perhaps Washington should take a page from Hillsborough on how to manage its spending levels,” he said.
   He said he wanted to see a “renewed focus” to ensure Hillsborough continues to be “an attractive and vibrant location for businesses.”
   The township will see this year the next stage of redevelopment for the former federal General Services Administration depot in the north of the township, he said.
   ”My hope is that, within the coming weeks, we will be in a position to close on a memorandum of understanding with the county on the plan for the construction of Phase 1 of the park, namely the baseball and softball fields at the complex,” the new mayor said. “I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say we are all very excited about the vision we have for a state-of-the-art recreation complex at the GSA. That vision is now within reach, and we will share updated details with the public in the near term.”
   Two members were sworn in for three-year terms.
   Greg Burchette, an auto repair shop owner and manager of the airport in the township, took the oath for his first term. He won election in November after being appointed to fill a ballot vacancy created when Mr. Wagner had to step aside after taking a state government job that prevented him from seeking a third term.
   Mr. Suraci, who served as mayor in 2012, was sworn in for his fourth three-year term.
   Mr. Merdinger, who is as a member of the Municipal Utilities Authority, rejoins the Planning Board in the capacity of a municipal official.
   Seven spots on the Planning Board were filled. Mr. DelCore will hold one seat as mayor. Gloria McCauley will continue on the board as a Township Committee member. Mr. Merdinger, whose initial service on the Planning Board goes back to 1978, he said, takes Mr. Burchette’s spot as a municipal official member.
   ”Lots of times, I find knowing the history is important in planning,” Mr. Merdinger said, adding the caveat that past deeds weren’t always right.
   Mayor DelCore said Mr. Merdinger “brings a valuable voice and wealth of knowledge to the Planning Board.”
   Mr. Merdinger said he never contemplated being on the board again, but the thought process might have been the revival of former GSA depot property as a redevelopment issue.
   ”I probably know more about the environment there than anyone except (Health Officer Glen) Dr. Belnay.” Mr. Merdinger said.
   Other reappointments went to Neil Julian, Sam Conard and alternate Daniel Marulli.
   On the Board of Adjustment, which rules on land use matters that fall outside of township ordinances, six spots needed filling.
   Ms. Fenwick will fill the remaining three years of the term of Leon Krals, the chairman in 2012, who has moved from the township.
   ”I’ve always had an interest in both planning and zoning,” she said Tuesday. “After 14 year of service on the Planning Board, I thought it might be interesting to move to zoning. A good background in planning will be helpful on the zoning board.”
   Mike Volpe and Shawn Lipani moved up from alternate spots. Frank Herbert and Curtis Suraci were voted to new two-year terms as alternates, and Ken Hesthag and Michele Horst were appointed as alternates for the first time.
   John Stamler was reappointed Tuesday night. His absence from the Thursday agenda was an oversight, committee members said.
   In other appointments, Mr. Wagner was named to a three-year term on the Open Space Advisory Committee, where he had served as a Township Committeeman.