Tinton Falls Names New Borough Councilman
By GARRETT STASSE
Tinton Falls Borough Council voted 3 to 1 to appoint Charles Lomengino to fill the unexpired term left vacant when Council President Brendan Tobin unexpectedly resigned two weeks ago.Lomengino will serve until a special election is held on Nov. 4
Councilman Duane Morrill, the lone ‘no’ vote, offered another name but it was dropped after no other council member would second it.
Morrill said he had concerns about Lomengino’s ability to serve after making comments about two borough projects.
In one instance, he had asked that debris removal from a demolition site be put to bid some time ago.
The removal was part of a contract that the main contractor subbed out.
Gary Baldwin, the deputy council president, said he “has known Mr. Lomengino for many years on the zoning board.
“The public has a right to stand before this board and speak their minds,” Baldwin said. “I don’t think there’s a problem with what he said.”
The vote cast, Borough Clerk Karen Mount-Taylor swore in Lomengino. Morrill smiled and shook Lomengino’s hand as he took his seat.
Baldwin, who had been acting council president in Tobin’s absence, was unanimously elected council president. Skudera was elected deputy president. He had preceded Tobin as president, and Baldwin said he plans to make good use of Skudera’s experience.
Mount-Taylor said petitions to run for the remainder of the unexpired term are available in her office in Borough Hall. Any borough resident who gets at least 133 verified signatures to her by 4 p.m. Sept. 11 will be placed on the ballot.
Open Space Move
Council approved a resolution to pursue buying a property at 2040 Wayside Rd. for open space conservation.
The borough expects to use $250,000 from the county and $350,000 from its Open Space Trust Fund to complete the purchase and all associated costs. The price could drop by $50,000 if the property is named for an unidentified person. Borough Administrator Brian Dempsey said the legality of that is being researched.
What is to become of the property once it is preserved was not announced.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
