Vitale Welcomed Back with Open Arms

Carmela Vitale was welcomed back with open arms–literally–at Tuesday's Planning Board meeting at Bayley-Ellard, Room 320.

Vitale, who has served two full terms on the Borough Council and served under special circumstances as recently as this past October, was part of the Planning Board the last time a thorough update of the master plan was produced in 1992.

She was the first member of the board to arrive for Tuesday's meeting, and was sworn in soon after the meeting began to take the seat recently vacated when Class IV member Greg Reed stepped down.

Vitale was greeted by warm smiles and hugs by many of the board members as they walked in to Room 320 and saw her.

"I can't tell you how happy I was when I saw your car in the parking lot," Councilwoman and Planning Board Liaison Astri Baillie said after embracing Vitale.

Vitale also received hugs from members John Forte and Judy Mullins, with Vitale asking Forte how his family was doing.

Mayor Mary-Anna Holden was not present for the beginning of the meeting due to another engagement, so attorney Vince Loughlin swore in Vitale.

PLANNING BOARD NOTES

To be discussed, and brought before the borough council, are standards related to multi-family housing. Currently such standards are only spelled out in the R5 and R6 zones. According to the board, new standards would not affect two- or three-family dwellings.