Settembrino Recuses Himself from Taylor Lane Application

Planning board member Kevin Settembrino has recused himself from the Taylor Lane housing development proposal currently before the Planning Board, according to board attorney James Gorman.

Settembrino, who is also a member of the township's governing body, will be replaced by one of two alternates who have attended the meetings that have been going on for months. 

His decision to step away from the American Properties in Middletown application, which proposes 245 housing units on an undeveloped tract, came after comments he made during an April 17 meeting, which focused on the potential reconfiguration of Taylor Lane as a one-way road in part. 

In an exchange with the applicant's planner and attorney, Settembrio said, "At some point of time, we’re going to vote. And I’m going to vote. And I will tell you, and I’ve asked and asked and asked again, and its no secret about it, if I continue to get rebuffed with any of the suggestions I make, or any of the suggestions I hear from members of the public, I will add a third guarantee to things that are guaranteed in life. Death is one, taxes is another, and the third thing I will add -- if I don’t see any compromise on behalf of this applicant -- is a 'no' vote to this application." 

Members of the public, many of whom opposed the development, erupted in applause.

But his comments were cause for concern for the applicant's attorney Ronald Shimanowitz and the attorney representing objectors, Ron Gasiorowski, because they both felt they could raise doubts later that a planning board member waited to hear all the facts before making up his mind. Also, the comments could potentially taint the board's decision. With so much time and money at stake, they shared their concerns with Settembrino. 

At the May 1 meeting, Settembrino publicly said he would not recuse himself, as requested by the attorneys. The Taylor Lane application was then put on hold by the planning board until a judicial determination could be sought on the situation.

The day after the meeting, Settembrino changed his mind and announced he would officially push away from the table on the Taylor Lane development.  "What I need to do avoid is any kind of frivolous lawsuit by the applicant's attorney and by Mr. Gasiorowski, depending on any outcome. I want to allow the Planning Board to consider the merits of the application, and not be distracted by any sideshow by the attorneys." 

In an interview on Friday, Settembrino said he stands by his statements. "I meant what I said. We've been getting zero cooperation from the applicant on compromise, the public has been gettng zero cooperation from the applicant on compromise. They've completely resisted any modifications," he said. 

Phone messages left Friday at the law offices of attorney Ronald Shimanowitz, of Woodbridge, and Gasiorowski, of Red Bank, were not returned.