TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—A new application form for candidates for the Zoning Board of Adjustment should be required of all candidates—and should include an interview before the council—agreed a councilwoman and the council president at the Jan. 15 meeting.
Councilwoman Daisy Velez and Council President Michael DeSena agreed that there needs to be an application form, and formal interviews, prior to any candidates being voted on for appointment to the ZBA.
Velez pressed for the formal application and improved screening process after what she described as two candidates “sprung on us at the last minute” for ZBA membership at the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting. She referred to herself and councilman Tom Sears.
“To say I walked away (from that meeting) disappointed was an understatement,” she said. She said the presentation of last-minute candidates for two slots on the ZBA mostly bothered her due to the lack of transparency.
At the meeting, Velez and Sears said they did not receive information about all the candidates being considered for the open positions.
She said the township website still has a notice under the Resources drop-down menu that requested letters of interest or resumes from potential candidates for the ZBA.
“Instead of getting upset, I think we need to take this as a learning opportunity and to do better,” Velez said. She recommended an application form “so that we have a proper, clear and transparent procedure” so all council members are aware of the candidates and their qualifications.
[Editor’s note: The town website explains zoning approval is the first step required for certain types of construction. “In order to obtain zoning approval, you must submit a zoning–engineering application available on our Forms page, listed under the Building Department.”
Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Municipal Courtroom, 350 Hudson Ave. and begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted due to a vacation/holiday.]
DeSena, also ZBA chair, said over the last three board meetings he asked members in seats whose terms were expiring whether they had interest in coming back. He said most were not interested.
DeSena said he favored a volunteer application for ZBA members, and township attorney Ken Poller agreed.
Councilman Michael Ullman said he served on the Zoning Board before becoming a councilman. He said when he was council president, they interviewed candidates for ZBA in council chambers, but that following his council tenure, that practice ended.
DeSena said prior to his appointment to the ZBA by the late mayor Janet Sobkowicz, he had to come before the council and explain why he wanted to be on the board. He said he felt an interview by council should be part of the process in appointing future board members.
“I just know there’s a lot of room for improvement on this,” Velez said.