Morelli bids for second term

MARLBORO - Patti Morelli believes she, Councilman Joseph Pernice and Mayor Robert Kleinberg have accomplished a lot over their first four years in office and that is why they are seeking re-election this year.

Morelli is completing her first term on the Township Council and along with Kleinberg and Pernice will be the Repub-lican candidates in the 2007 Marlboro municipal election.

The councilwoman said the thing she has enjoyed most about her public service is meeting people.

"I never realized how great the people in Marlboro are," Morelli said. "When your children are young you tend to be around the same group of parents. As a councilwoman, everyone - children, parents and seniors - comes to us with their concerns and we try to listen to everybody."

Morelli said she has tried hard during her first term to preserve Marlboro's farmland, open space and historic structures.

"To me, that is the key to stopping residential overdevelopment. It is also important to preserve our community's history. By next year we will have three farms preserved. With a little hard work and a little education, you can make things happen," she said.

Morelli said the council has tried to address residents' concerns in the areas of flooding, sidewalk repairs, road improvements and the expansion of recreation facilities. In addition, there have been issues regarding senior citizens to address, as well as trying to come up with a plan to satisfy Marlboro's state-mandated affordable housing obligation.

She said she supported the council's adoption of an ordinance that permits residents to appeal decisions made by the Zoning Board of Adjustment directly to the council, rather than appealing a zoning board decision in state Superior Court.

"We are trying to look toward the future because there are many more things to do," Morelli said. "It has been an honor to be a councilwoman and it has been wonderful working with Mayor Kleinberg and Councilman Pernice."

- Mark Rosman