RTM Bids Farewell to Members Who Are Not Seeking Re-Election

Rep. Frank Twohill, Jr. rose to his feet at the RTM meeting Wednesday to thank fellow Republican representative David Rowe, who is not running for re-election, before Majority Leader Anthony Giardiello thanked all the Democrats for their time and service, as the RTM held its final session before the municipal election on Nov. 8. 

Also citing selectmen  (check back at 11 a.m. for a profile of Opie) who were seated in the rear of the meeting room, Twohill said he wanted to thank all the people who are not seeking re-election yet who have served the town. 

One person who asserted he will return was citizen activist , who rose to inform the RTM, “I’m coming back.  You’re not getting rid of me.”   

Cooke has clashed repeatedly with town officials since the farmland status of his four parcels of land, which at one time, housed Hilltop Orchards LLC, was revoked more than two years ago.  At the last RTM session on Wednesday,  Cooke batted zero with the RTM, taking no action on matters related to , which legislates the assessment of farmland, open space and forest properties by use rather than fair market value.

PA 490 has become a linchpin of Cooke’s concerns.

The final RTM session began with former moderator and Democratic member Sandra Reiners, who is not seeking re-election, passing a tray of cookies to the members.

Much of the meeting was devoted to routine housekeeping matters.  There, the town’s budget remains the same while transfers are approved among various line item accounts.

In addition to Republican David Rowe and Democrat Sandra Reiners, representatives who are not seeking re-election to the RTM include Democrats Andy Campbell, who is running for the office of selectman, Tara Bartlett, Dorothy Docknevich, Lisa Avitable, Alice Lambert, who is running for Constable, Patricia Neilson and Kevin O’Donnell.

Check back next week to meet the candidates who are running in daily profiles.