JACKSON, NJ – After clamoring throughout their election to create an open space advisory board that would allow ordinary residents in town to discuss matters involving open space, a split council voted against it.
Throughout his election campaign to be mayor, Marty Flemming and his teammates called for an advisory board. Under the township government structure, that advisory board would be appointed by Mayor Michael Reina.
The purpose of the board will be to allow ordinary residents the ability to advise the township elected officials on future open space purchases and to help the town find new ways to purchase open space.
Like all advisory boards in town, there is a certain level of politicking and negotiating behind the scenes that is done to place a diverse group on the board.
Led by Flemming, Councilmen Steven Chisolm and Nino Borrelli each voted against the creation of a public open space oversight and advisory committee.
Flemming said he was upset because he did not have power over appointing members to the board other than a council liaison.
Borrelli echoed Flemming’s rebuke saying he is also an elected official and deserves a say in who gets appointed.
The ordinance, which was introduced Tuesday night by newly elected board member Scott Sargent was supported by his running mate Jennifer Kuhn.
The vote exposes a rift between Flemming and the newly elected members and a vision of two years of a lame duck governance at the hands of Flemming. It’s not the first time Flemming blocked progress in Jackson because he didn’t control it.
Last year, Flemming said he opposed a land swap that would prevent the development of four private schools on Leesville Road simply because it wasn’t his idea and he was not part of the negotiations with the developer.