HIGHTSTOWN During a reorganization meeting tonight, Mayor Steve Kirson is expected to present to the borough council seven appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission, filling the four slots left vacant after the November resignation of several members over the lighting of the Civil War monument for the holiday season.
I knew that was going to happen, said former commission chairman Richard Pratt, who was among the key voices opposing the Lights on the Square plan. He was also among those who resigned.
In a late November ceremony, holiday hymns and candy canes were aplenty as the Civil War monument at the corner of Stockton Street and Rogers Avenue was lit with red and blue spotlights, and adorned with lit garland draped from the top.
The project sparked uproar in the borough, partly because it was based on the recommendation of just one member of the Historic Preservation Commission, Daniel Buriak, who didnt notify the borough council that all other members of the commission were opposed. Those other members subsequently resigned from the commission in protest.
Some residents found it offensive that a monument to the dead would be turned into a holiday decoration, while others were supportive of the plan, and others ambivalent altogether.
Councilwoman Selena Bibens described the project as the line in the sand for the borough.
For Pratt, the primary reason for resigning stemmed from a perceived breach in procedure. The commission had previously voted down the suggestion to light the monument with different colors, and to hang garland from the top as to resemble a Christmas tree. When Buriak went to the borough council on his own, Pratt believes the council should have sought and deferred to the commissions ruling.
William Carney and Robin Smith were the only commissioners to remain, aside from Buriak, according to borough documents. In addition to extending Buriaks expiring term for another year, Kirson is expected to appoint Rich Teller, Philippe Cardoso, Jeff Belpanno, Bob Von Regen, Jim Zito and John Hostetler to the commission during tonights meeting.
Pratt said he was never approached, either officially or unofficially, about his returning to the commission. However, he seemed pleased with the new appointees, which include a sculptor and a painter, and several who live in historic homes.
Its a good list, he said. The people that are on it are knowledgeable people.
Calls to Kirson for comment were not returned, and it remains unclear who will serve as the new chair of the commission. Kirson had previously said that the members who resigned were welcome to reapply, but that he would not hold their former positions open for them.
Council president Larry Quattrone declined to comment on the appointments, or the replacement of those who resigned. He said that the appointments are up to the mayor alone and that the work of the commission is important.
Calls to Buriak, who orchestrated the Lights on the Square plan, as well as Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin, who was against the project after receiving complaints from borough residents, both went unreturned.
For Pratt, the outcome was not unexpected.
I knew what I was doing, he said. I dont have any regrets. I dont have any issue with the people being appointed.
The reorganization meeting begins tonight at 7:30 pm in the first aid building.
It will be interesting to see how things go, said Pratt.
Contact David Karas at (609) 989-5731 or dkaras@njtimes.com.
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