Riggs leaves council to take township job
Longtime councilman succeeds Montanti in environmental role
BY BRIAN DONAHUE
Staff Writer

John Riggs

After 17 years on the Monroe Township Council, John Riggs announced this week he will resign that position in order to take on a full-time job with the township.

Riggs said he has accepted the position of environmental protection manager, which was created in 2004 and held by Joe Montanti until his death last April. Riggs will also take on the role of municipal housing liaison, a state-mandated position created by the Township Council last week.

He will receive a salary of $72,600 for the combined position, according to Township Administrator Wayne Ham-ilton.

Riggs, as environmental protection manager, will focus on projects that Montanti had led, such as planning for the acquisition of open space properties, a significant undertaking, given the large number of parcels on priority lists established by Montanti and the Township Council over the past two years.

Riggs, a Democratic councilman who has been re-elected every four years since 1989, said he had "mixed feelings" about his decision.

"After much thought, I chose to pursue this new position in the township, created by combining the position Joe Montanti so ably filled before his tragic death earlier this year, with responsibilities now required by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing," he wrote in a letter to Mayor Richard Pucci and the Township Council.

Riggs began his public service in Monroe as a PTA executive board member, and later served for eight years as chairman of the township's Zoning Board of Adjustment. He is also a past member of Monroe's Affordable Housing Board, the current chairman of the Environmental Commission, and the council's longtime representative on the Planning Board.

"I have always loved the beautiful countryside and quality of life in our community, and my years on the Planning Board have strengthened my resolve to make our town one of the most environmentally sensitive and beautiful communities in the state," Riggs wrote. "I am confident that working with the residents, the administration and this remarkable council, I can work to achieve my goal of a greener Monroe for our future generations."

Riggs said he will not take over as chairman of the Route 33 Land Use Task Force, a role Montanti had held since the task force was created in 2005. Township Engineer Ernie Feist is currently heading up that group.

Most recently employed as a manufacturing representative for a toy company, Riggs said he is leaving that position to take the job with the township.

He was recommended for the township job by Hamilton.

"John Riggs satisfies all of the job description requirements for this position, and comes well-equipped to handle the duties and responsibilities of both titles," Hamilton said in a press release.

Pucci touted Riggs' knowledge and experience with regard to land use and the environment.

"There are few people who know this township as well as he does," the mayor said. "He is a great choice to succeed Joe Montanti and continue his hard work, especially in the open space planning area. John's prior involvement with the local Affordable Housing Board satisfies the needs in this area as well."

Riggs said the township's Democratic County Committee will submit three names to the Township Council, which will then select from that list in appointing his successor on the council. The person will then serve the remainder of his term, which expires Dec. 31, 2007.

Candidates for the appointment are expected to be named in about a week, and the council may vote on the new member at its Sept. 25 meeting. The person is also expected to take over Riggs' role on the Planning Board.

Staff writer Jessica Smith contributed to this story.