Everything You Wanted to Know about the Planning Board

The Planning Board, governed by the rules of N.J. Statute 40:55D under the Municipal Land Use Law, is created by the municipal governing body by ordinance. The board consists of no less than seven and no more than nine members who are grouped into four classes. There are currently nine members sitting on the New Milford Planning Board, with two alternates. 

Class I: This is the sitting mayor. The term of office corresponds to the mayor's term of office. (Mayor Subrizi)

Class II: This is an official of the municipality other than a member of the governing body. N.J. Stature 40:56A-1 states that a municipality's Environmental Commission must consist of one member of the Planning Board. Therefore, a Class II member is a member of the local Environmental Commission. Term of office is three years or at the completion of their term of office on the environmental commission, should that be less than three years. (Celeste Scavetta)

Class III: A member of the governing body. Term of office is one year or at the completion of their term of office, should that be less than one year. (Howard Berner)

Class IV: Residents appointed by the sitting mayor. Class IV members cannot hold any other municipal office, position or employment. If the Planning Board consists of nine members, one member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Committee or Board of Education. Term of office is four years. If a Class IV member is a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Committee or Board of Education, the term ends at the completion of their term on the other board or committee. (Angelo DeCarlo, Chairman; Joanne Prisendorf; Carol Hudak; Chris Pecci; Pat Santino; Thea Sirocchi Hurley)

Alternate Members: Alternate members serve the Planning Board when there is an absence of an appointed board member(s) and a quorum is needed. Alternates allow the municipality to ensure that time-sensitive matters, such as applications for development, will be promptly heard without delay. Although alternate members can participate in all matters that come before the Planning Board, they may not vote except in the absence of a member of any class. 

There can be no more than four appointed alternates. If they are called upon, they are considered Class IV members. Term of office is two years. (Stan Newman Alt. 1; John DaCosta, Jr., Alt. 2)