Politics & Government

Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer Resigning

Former mayor is lauded for his 'sharp pencil' and other attributes while in office.

Bernards Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer had already announced he would not seek re-election when his term expired at the end of this year, but on Tuesday his fellow officials and the public learned he would be departing sooner than expected.

Spitzer, who served a year as mayor during his five and a half years on the Township Committee, said he expects to resign on Aug. 9, when he is scheduled to close on the sale of his home and move to New York City with his wife, Toby. He said he also has been traveling extensively since he began a new position in March as chief operations officer for a precious metals dealer in Manhattan.

Spitzer made the announcement at Tuesday night's Township Committee meeting. He has lived in Basking Ridge for 15 years, and said he became involved with the township's open space commission almost as soon as moving here. 

Spitzer described himself as being a "hard campaigner" who knocked on township doors even though he twice ran unopposed for three-year terms on the governing body.

During his year as mayor, in 2010, following a year as deputy mayor, he launched such continuing mayoral initiatives as the Mayor's Wellness Campaign, the township beautification committee, which began local cleanups and other projects, and also the mayor's "brown bag lunches" to talk with residents.

Township Clerk Denise Szabo mentioned to Spitzer on Tuesday night that no other mayor had generated so many photos for the township website.

Replacement must be named to fulfill term

Mayor Carolyn Gaziano said that the Township Committee must select another committee member within 30 days of Spitzer's resignation, to fulfill the remainder of his term through Dec. 31, 2013.

Spitzer, along with the four other Township Committee members, is a Republican. Gaziano said the Township Committee will receive a list of three candidates from the Republican Municipal Committee and could chose one during August, or by Sept. 9 by the latest.

At this point, three candidates already have been campaigning for the three-year term to begin next Jan. 1. They include Republican Carol Bianchi, Democrat David Ferdinand and independent Bill Connors.

Gaziano, who this year has been conducting her own version of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign, described Spitzer as a "mentor" and "role model."

Another Township Committee Member, Deputy Mayor John Carpenter, praised Spitzer for his "sharp pencil," and bringing "a lot of passion [and] clarity to every issue," as well as being a "collegial" presence on the governing body.

John Belardo, the township attorney, said that he always had to arrive especially prepared at meetings with Spitzer, who himself is a longtime attorney. He said Spitzer's expertise was key during some acquisitions of open space for the township. 

Spitzer himself had only praise for the officials he has worked with, adding it had been an "honor" to serve the township. He said he believes he had helped make a "positive" impact on the township, noting the municipality's Triple A bond rating and freedom from long-term debt.


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