While it is hard to find individuals that are willing to devote personal time to the various boards and committees, members need to accept the outcome of last year's election. Notwithstanding Mr. Fariello's passion, devotion & efforts on Open Space issues the voters clearly were aware of all these factors when they went to the polls and Mr. Fariello did not get re-elected. With those results come new blood and perhaps different ideas about many issues, including open space and how best to make use of it.
The Township Committee has to govern and live with their decisions and part of this process is to nominate and appoint individuals that they believe are best and represent the best interests of the taxpayers. The previous committee made changes to the boards at the beginning of 2009 and in my opinion some of the changes made were not for the better - but again, that's my opinion. Throughout 2009, we lived with the previous appointments made by the committee majority which included former Mayor Fariello. It's a new year.
My suggestion to Open Space is to be Open Minded and work with the current committee, which at the moment reflects the will of the majority of the voters. If you can't accept that then resign - no one member or Chairperson is irreplaceable!
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DAILY RECORD
HANOVER TWP. — Some members of Hanover's Open Space Advisory Committee are expected to resign after a majority of the township committee voted against appointing former Mayor Len Fariello to fill a vacancy on the advisory group, according to its chairman.
"I'm definitely going to resign" if Fariello is not appointed, said Chairman Gary Kaiser.
Fariello had served as a liaison to the open space committee when he served on the Township Committee and the Open Space Advisory Committee strongly recommended he be appointed on the board to fill a vacancy.
Kaiser said he's puzzled by the 3-2 vote against appointing Fariello to the committee. While Township Committee members Judy Iradi and George Coppola voted for in favor of Fariello's appointment, new Mayor John Sheridan, Deputy Mayor Ken Schleifer and John Ferramosca voted against his appointment.
Ferramosca said politics didn't motivate his decision. Rather, he said he has a certain vision for what open space preservation should accomplish.
He said that while Fariello has a fine record on preserving "passive open space," he didn't do enough to secure "active open space" that could provide recreational opportunities.
"The vote that took place submits to a belief we need better balance on the committee," Ferramosca said in a phone interview. "We need more recreation fields. The town needs someone who's more proactive (in securing open space that could double as recreation fields)."
He added that "I believe strongly we need a group with a diversity of opinions."
Kaiser said he knows of about four other members who are also expected to resign as a protest to the Township Committee vote. However, he declined to divulge their names. The Open Space Advisory Board consists of nine regular members and two alternates who serve three-year terms.
"He is the most knowledgeable person I know regarding open space," Kaiser said. "I think it's a big mistake. It's a huge blow to Hanover Township."
Open Space board member Dan Filipescu said he is considering resigning, based on not having Fariello on the board.
"I feel he's a very good asset to the town," he said, adding he hasn't made a final decision.
Another member, Fred Meola, who has served on the board for about 15 years, said he would "probably not" step down, adding that the board serves an important purpose.
"Nothing is accomplished by resigning," he said.
Fariello, in a phone interview, said that while he is flattered to have such high respect from the open space committee, he would advise the members not to resign.
Fariello, who manages land professionally for the New Jersey Natural Land Trust, said he has helped to more than double the open space inventory over the past decade, from 293 acres to 588 acres.
He also called criticism about not preserving enough active recreation lands "ridiculous" and "absurd."
Calls made to several other open space board members were not returned.
If Fariello was appointed, he would have filled a vacancy left by Brian Sasso. Currently, that alternate board member position is vacant, according to the township's Web site.
The next open space meeting will take place on Wednesday.
