as knowledgeable voice
on municipal matters
Lawyer served area towns
as zoning, planning expert
Michael Pane recalled
as knowledgeable voice
on municipal matters
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
Michael Pane
Many New Jersey municipalities and attorneys have lost a guiding light with the passing of Michael A. Pane, 60, of East Windsor. Pane died on Jan. 12 at The Medical Center at Princeton due to complications from diabetes. He leaves behind a legacy of writings and wisdom on local government law that will be studied for years to come.
Pane actually wrote the book on New Jersey local government law. New Jersey Practice Series, Local Government Law 3rd Edition, is a three-volume treatise that has become the state reference for lawyers. His writings have been cited by New Jersey state courts and federal courts in at least 15 published decisions. In addition, Pane taught and guest lectured at the state’s top universities, most recently as an adjunct professor of local government law at Rutgers Law School.
He also was the editor of the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys’ Quarterly Law Review and published many articles.
A resident of East Windsor, Pane served as the Zoning Board of Adjustment attorney in Millstone. Duane Davison, who is Millstone Township’s municipal attorney as well as the municipal attorney in Freehold Township and Holmdel where Pane also served in various capacities, knew him personally and professionally.
Davison said Pane devoted most of his life to representing local governments in one form or another and was always available to attorneys who practice municipal law.
"He always came up with very erudite opinions, ones you could count on," the attorney said.
According to Davison, Pane loved his work.
"To him it wasn’t a job; it was part of who he was," he said.
And he was a good friend, Davison said.
"I was amazed that he and I were such good friends. He would just blow me away. He had such a magnificent mind. He would read four newspapers in the morning before he even went to work, and the number of books that he read was astounding.
"I just found it incredible the recall that he had. It seemed to me that he could recall perfectly anything that he had ever read in his life," Davison said. "Anything that you brought up, he knew about. You could ask him about the Persian Empire and he could take you from day one of its history."
Davison said that in addition to being well read, Pane spoke about six languages.
"He was brilliant and so well rounded, yet he was low key and understated. What I also appreciated about him was that he wasn’t impressed with position or power, but sought the core of an individual. He judged a person by what they had inside. He looked for the genuineness of the person; that was his yardstick," the attorney said.
Davison said although Pane had a number of medical problems, including a bout with cancer, heart bypass surgery and diabetes, he managed to live a full life and accomplish amazing things.
Pane’s résumé attests to his professional accomplishments. He was born in New Brunswick and attended school in Highland Park. He graduated from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Harvard Law School.
Pane was a member of the New Jersey Bar since 1967 and had a private law practice in Hightstown since 1978. At the time of his death he was serving as the General Counsel to the New Jersey Planning Officials. Prior to that, he had been deputy general counsel to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
In addition to serving as attorney for the Millstone Township Zoning Board, he was serving as Planning Board attorney in Holmdel and zoning board attorney in Freehold Township, as well as the attorney for other agencies and as a special counsel for a variety of municipalities throughout the state.
From 1984-90, Pane served as the Planning Board attorney in Millstone Township and also represented Millstone Township in Mount Laurel affordable housing litigation, as well as representing Millstone Township in the community’s successful opposition to its designation as a site for a hazardous waste incinerator.
Pane’s list of awards is also long. In the past two years alone he was the recipient of the Fred Stickel Award from the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys; the President’s Distinguished Service Award from the state League of Municipalities and the Achievement in Planning Award from the state Planning Officials.
Pane was predeceased by his parents, Remigio Ugo and Philomena Pascale Pane. Surviving are his wife, Frances Heckert Pane; a son, Michael Pane, of Fair Haven; a daughter, Natalia Pane, of Washington, D.C.; and a sister, Elissa Pane, of Toronto, Canada.