Sometimes humor finds a place at council table
Chiminea discussion in Freehold Borough has its light moments
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - Even though Freehold Borough has had to deal with a number of serious issues over the last few years - including being named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit revolving around illegal immigration - not everything that occurs in the Borough Council chambers has national implications.

Some of what happens in Borough Hall can only be described as small-town humor and charm, something officials and residents have found challenging to hold onto in the past decade.

Such was the case on May 21 when members of the council were discussing an ordinance that has been developed to regulate the use of a chiminea (a small outdoor fireplace).

Councilman Michael DiBenedetto was concerned about the time that the fireplaces would be allowed to burn.

To that, Mayor Michael Wilson responded good-naturedly, "It was suggested at this table that we might insert into the ordinance the creation of a chiminea task force with T-shirts, but make sure you spell their name correctly."

Wilson's comment brought laughter from the council members and residents in the audience.

DiBenedetto said there is no time limit in the ordinance and added that there is nothing to prevent people from starting up a fire at any time.

"Do you want there to be a way to prevent that?" Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins asked, then added, "How can we prevent someone from sitting on their back porch and drinking a beer?"

Councilman Robert Crawford chimed in, saying, "We always used to have block parties. It's the greatest thing in the world to have a beer and a lobster on your back porch at 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning."

"We're not outlawing the beer and the lobster," Wilson said.

"This will be complaint driven," DiBenedetto said of the chiminea ordinance. "We are not going to have people driving around looking for fires."

"Unless we have the chiminea task force," the mayor chimed in.

After a bit more banter back and forth, Wilson asked, "What time limit are we putting on the beer and the lobster then?"

The answer was no time limit on the beer and lobster, to which the mayor said, "Government can sometimes very intrusive, you know?"

After a moment of quiet and a heavy sigh, Wilson looked at the people in the audience and said, "You can't get this stuff on TV, folks."

Council members eventually decided that chiminea fires should be doused by 1 a.m.

Officials have said that the purpose of the chiminea ordinance is to protect residents from the threat of fire and noxious fumes. The ordinance states that open burning in approved containers will be allowed without a permit at residences subject to certain regulations.

Another item that brought a smile to the face of municipal officials and audience members were comments made by resident Tom Baldwin.

Baldwin is an advocate for Freehold's Latino residents who often states his opinions on issues related to illegal immigration issues in the borough. Over the years he has had an adversarial relationship with Wilson, Councilman Marc Le Vine and Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer.

Baldwin inquired about Le Vine's health because he heard that Le Vine had been hospitalized.

Shutzer said Le Vine was out of the hospital and was feeling better.

Baldwin said he had written a letter which he would read to the council as if Le Vine was at the meeting. His letter stated that even though he and Le Vine have had their disagreements over the years, he was "truly saddened and distressed" to learn that the councilman had been in the hospital. Baldwin said he was glad Le Vine was feeling better and wished him continued good health.

"Mr. Le Vine, even though we have had our disagreements, I think you are an honorable gentleman. Your sitting up there guarantees me someone to fight with. Fighting with Mrs. Shutzer is just not the same thing. It's like fighting with my wife, it's a no-win situation," Baldwin said with a smile.

The council members responded in kind to Baldwin's heartfelt and humorous letter.

As the mayor said, "You really can't get this stuff on TV, folks."