You can find the link to join and participate via zoom here:
Come speak at the meeting and tell Council to TABLE the Resolution!
- When: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
- Where: Teaneck Council Chambers (818 Teaneck Road)
- Public Comment: Meeting begins at 8pm with public comment ~8:30pm
- Zoom: While it’s better to attend in person, you may speak via zoom
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85815636293 Passcode: 703943
Talking Points:
- Council has never interviewed these new candidates
Never before have Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment seats been filled without the entire Council interviewing candidates (only 3 sub-committee members met with potential candidates)
- Council Should TABLE the Vote
Council has always interviewed nominees to boards, as a body. Suddenly, a subcommittee is handling this important job.
- Subcommittees Should Not Handle Core Functions
Only the Council can take official actions, such as nominating and voting on members for Statutory Boards. The Council Majority decried the use of subcommittees only to short-circuit the process by using a subcommittee to interview candidates.
- A Transparent Process was Promised to Residents
When the current council majority ran, they promised an open process, fully transparent and without subcommittees doing the work of governing.
- Notifications are mandated but were not sent out
The Township Code calls for mailing a notice to everyone submitting an application within the prior 2 years of an opening when Council intends to discuss filling the seats. No mailings were sent out and some residents who had applied received no notification.
- Current members were summarily dismissed without consideration
Prior members who wish to continue service are always afforded an opportunity to speak as to their credentials and experience.
- No vote should have taken place during the nomination process
Votes are not permitted at the time nominations occur. The Township’s procedures call for voting to follow at another meeting (the Mayor called for votes with the nominations, precluding others)
- The current Council majority ran on a platform of Transparency
The notification requirements ensure everyone is aware Council is seeking to fill seats on boards. Interviews allow the full Council to discuss the relative merits of candidates.
Why is this important?
- The Planning Board is embarking on a Master Plan Review which will affect policy for the next 20+ years in Teaneck.
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears and decides applications as to which Houses of Worship are allowed to be created / expanded and which have to sue to ensure rights are respected.