Zoning Board Head Supports Passed Referendum

Count Zoning Board Chairman Kenneth Trumpore as one of the overwhelming majority who voted to pass a referendum on Tuesday combining Hopatcong's zoning and planning boards into a single land-use board.

Before Wednesday's zoning board meeting, Trumpore said he agreed with the measure.

"It does really make sense to combine them, doesn't it?" he said. "Other towns have done it successfully. Why not Hopatcong? Save some money."

The referendum received 1,493 "yes" votes as opposed to 479 "no" votes. Mayor Sylvia Petillo threw her support behind the measure via a mailing to Hopatcong residents. Trumpore said combining the boards would save the borough in professional fees.

On the other side, it faced opposition from former Mayor Cliff Lundin, who called it a "bad" idea in the comments section of Patch article, and former zoning board President Joe Bongiorno, who denouncing the move.

"The Boards have two completely different roles," Lundin wrote. "A combined boards might work in very small towns or fully built out towns, but not in a town our size. Right now the Boards are not busy, but in the past they were. A combined board could be completely overwhelmed by the numbers of applicantions (sic) if teh (sic) economy ever picks up. This would cause a loss in effectivelness (sic) in planning functions."

Trumpore said the zoning and planning boards have seen little activity since the 2008 economic downturn. As an example, Trumpore said Wednesday's zoning board agenda consisted of just three construction extensions.

Roy Winfield, a zoning board member, said it was smart to combine the boards "until things get busy again."

"It's never going to get that busy again," said Estelle Klein, a zoning board alternate who will take her second term on Hopatcong's council next January. "The Highlands [Act] takes about half our town away."

Trumpore said the planning and zoning boards haven't been informed who will serve on the land-use board.

"We haven't had any meetings concerning it," he said. "It had to pass first."