TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Residents are speaking out against a change to the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment following the Township Council’s reorganization meeting Jan. 4.
Late in the nearly two-hour meeting, which was held over the governing body’s NYNJA video conference platform and streamed on WCTV-NJ, a divided governing body dropped ZBA chairman Frederic Goetz and member Diane Grimaldi.
They accepted the applications of Anthony Capasso, owner of Airflow Cooling and Heating LLC based in Westwood; and Michael LaGratta, a 2020 alternate; and agreed on Jeffrey Roberto, a facility engineer, for alternate.
In his council report, member Michael DeSena critiqued delays at the Building Department and detailed ways the town was letting its residents down, including a mishap last year that allowed, with zero public input, eight new Zone AAA single-family homes on approximately 9.3 acres at Wearimus Road and Gorga Place, near the Ho-Ho-Kus border.
[For more, see “Eight New Lots Win Preliminary Approval By Default; Engineer’s Lapse Blamed,” Jan. 17, 2020.]
In discussion on the ZBA composition for 2021, DeSena said, “I implore the council to retain the three members that are currently on the board. They went through a pivotal year with the Orchard Holdings application; they’ve already started. These members are already intimately aware of it.”
He added, “To remove these members, I think, would be a detriment to the township, so I would make a motion that we keep the three board members as they are.”
Golden Orchards Associates has business before boards here and in Hillsdale for a major subdivision, the second of two phases, The Reserve at Arden Place, 37 active adult units and a single family lot, straddling the town line.
DeSena had support from Member Steve Cascio, who said, “In the middle of an application… they’re already trained. They’ve served the town well in that capacity.”
But member Arthur Cumming disagreed: “I think we need a fresh look from some of these people. I think that we do not have a fresh look and the outlook we’re looking for.”
Online, after the meeting, Grimaldi—who works in municipal administration elsewhere—wrote incredulously of the call for “new eyes” in planning and zoning.
“The land use ordinances are quite clear and should be adhered to when possible. There are times when variances are granted for the right reasons and now, as a former member of the Zoning Board, I want to say I am concerned that these ‘new eyes’ are only another way of saying the new guard is looking to rubber stamp variances for their supporters.”
She said, “Residents are not privy to the resumes of the applicants—we can only speculate.”
She thanked Goetz, an attorney well versed in land use, for his service as chairman and member of the ZBA.
“You helped every ZB member look at each application on its own merits. You helped the board work with applicants to reach compromises that satisfied their needs as well as keep our town’s core tenets intact. I am very proud of the work we did during the time we served,” she said.
Resident Joe D’Urso wrote in part, “And just like that. Two good people removed from zoning because they are not on Team Calamari.”
Addressing newly retained Council President Stacey Feeney, newly elevated Council Vice President Desiree Morgan, and 2020 council veep Arthur Cumming, he said “Nice move.”
D’Urso added, “Mayor [Peter Calamari] has complete control of planning and zoning.”
Also on the zoning board are Michael Werfel, Said Toro, Dennis Moore, John Callandrillo, Sean Mahoney, and alternate Les Hanna. Engineer is Paul Azzolina. Board Attorney is Gary Giannantonio Esq.
Calamari named Dan Scudieri to Planning Board Member Class II. Feeney, Morgan and Cumming voted to replace Planning Board council representative DeSena, putting Cumming back in that seat.
Meanwhile, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary Barbara Coleman stepped down around Christmas 2020, and the township is advertising for her replacement. The ad reads in part, “Experience is preferred but not required.”
For more information, visit the Township website at twpofwashington.us.