TINTON FALLS – An employee of a local engineering firm will serve as the zoning officer in Tinton Falls for the remainder of 2020.
During a Borough Council meeting on June 16, the members of the governing body authorized a contract for professional services with T&M Associates, Middletown. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $30,000.
T&M Associates is the borough’s engineer.
The zoning officer’s position was discussed in a May 20 letter from Borough Engineer Thomas Neff, of T&M Associates, to Tinton Falls Acting Administrator Thomas Fallon.
Neff wrote, “As you (Fallon) are aware, the prior zoning officer of many years retired on June 1, 2019. Since that time, I have been filling in as acting zoning officer. As requested, we are submitting a proposal for a more permanent zoning officer to be named in 2020.
“For this position, we are proposing Dana Webb out of our Middletown office. Dana has worked at T&M Associates for approximately seven years as an engineering support technician.
“Dana’s job duties have been to assist the borough engineer/zoning officer in (several other) municipalities on a day-to-day basis with the review of all zoning permit applications. …
“She has become an excellent resource and is well versed in local ordinances, the Municipal Land Use Law, various permit applications, and working closely with local residents and builders.
“In addition, she has obtained the zoning official certificate from Rutgers University. I therefore believe Dana would be an excellent fit to step in as the zoning officer for Tinton Falls.
“Based on my experience, I believe this should be a part-time position of approximately eight hours per week. I would recommend scheduled office hours twice a week, approximately three to four hours per day.
“During this time, Dana would be at Borough Hall to review permits, meet with residents/builders, answer questions and work with other municipal staff. … Based on Dana’s rate of $125 per hour, I would recommend a budget of $30,000 for this position for the period of June 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020,” Neff wrote.