Council appoints Papa to planning board

VERNON - The Township Council unanimously agreed to appoint Thomas Papa to the planning board seat left vacant by Douglas Castellano's resignation earlier in the summer. Papa will serve out the remainder of Castellano's four-year term, which ends Dec. 31, 2006. " I've seen Papa in action," said Councilman Neil Desmond. "The amount of thought he puts into his efforts, plus his sincerity and willingness to work make him an excellent candidate to serve on the board." "I'm impressed by Papa's lack of personal bias: He's just concerned about doing what's right for the town, Politics aren't part of the equation for him," added Councilman Phil Weiler. Papa was among the candidates considered to fill the council seat Jeff Patterson left vacant when he resigned in July. Neil Desmond strongly supported his candidacy, but the Republican Committee ultimately selected Austin Carew, who was sworn in as councilman on Aug. 22. Papa brings to the planning board a long history of involvement in civic affairs. For the past five years, Papa has been a Vernon board of education member, serving as board vice-president for the past two years. He also acts as chairman of the board finance committee and is a member of the liaison committee to the Vernon Council. Papa also served on the board of directors of Walden Community Service Association in Hardyston for eight years, presiding as president for four years and treasurer for four years. "I am very honored and humbled to be appointed to the Vernon Planning Board and I sincerely thank the Mayor and Council for their support and confidence," said Papa. "For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed being involved in the community, in some capacity and now I have the best of both worlds. I shall continue to be responsible for ensuring our schools are well run, and now I have the opportunity to be directly involved with our town." "One of the functions of the Planning Board is to also plan and develop Vernon and review business opportunities for the continued development of our town. I share that vision and also am a firm believer of maintaining Vernon's rural setting." "I have a great deal of respect for Tom, and view him as a welcome addition to the planning board," said former Vernon mayor John Logan, a planning board member Papa attended Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. graduating with a bachelor of arts in accounting and a minor in law. He earned his CPA certification in 1987. An administrator at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, Papa's job includes reporting to the hospital board of trustees on the efficiency of operations and the reliability of financial reporting. He also is charged with overseeing the hospital's compliance with laws and regulations. In addition, he manages the hospital's entire real estate portfolio. A 12-year resident of Vernon, Papa and his wife Maryalice have been married for 17 years and have three children, Brittany, Ashley and Christine, who all attend school in Vernon.