Cantor elected president of Marlboro council
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

Jeff Cantor

MARLBORO - Newly elected Township Council President Jeff Cantor said 2007 will be a great year for Marlboro.

Cantor was elected president of the municipal governing body during the Jan. 4 reorganization meeting. He vowed to continue to stand tall against corruption and unethical behavior. He further pledged to work with state legislators to ease the property tax burden on Marlboro taxpayers; to continue to purchase land for open space; to work on the process of purchasing the property that formerly housed the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital; and to ensure that Marlboro's municipal government is friendly and helpful to residents.

"I am humbled by this opportunity and pledge to do my best in this position," Cantor said.

Following Cantor's election by his fellow council members, Councilman Steve Rosenthal was elected to serve as council vice president.

In other business at the meeting, Cindy Sarna was appointed to a four-year term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Sarna, who was previously an alternate member on the board, re-placed Deborah Hoffman.

Joseph Sparacio was appointed to the zoning board to fill a two-year term as alternate No. 1; Matthew Weilheimer was appointed to fill Sarna's seat as alternate No. 2. Weilheimer's term will expire on Dec. 31, 2007.

Jack Williams was appointed to a five-year term on the Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority. The utility, with headquarters on Harbor Road, provides water service to part of Marlboro.

In other business, the council introduced an ordinance that would, if adopted, change the fees for the commuter parking lots. The current fee to purchase a permit to park in the commuter lots is $8.33 per month, which is $100 a year. The ordinance would increase that fee to $10 per month ($120 a year). The ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote for adoption on Jan. 25.

The council also introduced an ordinance that would, if adopted, authorize the governing body to purchase a 43-acre parcel on Pleasant Valley Road for the purpose of preserving open space. The ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote for adoption on Jan. 25.

The site, known as Golden Dale Farm, was owned by Marilyn McCarron before she died. According to Councilwoman Patti Morelli, McCarron's heirs approached township officials with the idea of preserving the property for land conservation.

With this piece of property the township will not only be preserving a farm, but also a beautiful historic home from the 1900s, Morelli said.

Marlboro officials are looking to purchase the farm and preserve it through the state's farmland preservation program known as the Planning Incentive Grant (PIG). The grant is a joint partnership among the state, county and municipality for purchasing the develop-ment rights.

The purchase of the development rights, if completed, would ensure that the Golden Dale Farm would never be developed for residential use.

Last year Marlboro qualified for $1 million through the state program, according to Morelli. This 43-acre parcel would be the first farm in Marlboro to go through the PIG program.