HOWELL – The township's Zoning Board Chairman Stephen Meier resigned during the public comment portion of the Township Council meeting on Tuesday, going into a little detail behind his decision.

“I’ve reached the point where I’ve had too many people coming up to me making complaints … complaining what board members are doing,” Meier said. “I’m just tired of dealing with all of it.”

Meier added that he did not feel he had the support of the council and did not agree on their goals.

Mayor William Gotto asked Meier why the goals had to agree, and Meier conceded that they did not have to be, but added, “With appointments and such, for me to get the board where I thought you wanted it, I can’t do that anymore.”

Gotto interrupted Meier and said he said he didn’t believe that was the job of the Zoning Board chairman. A short back and forth between Gotto and Meier ensued.

“I spent 17 years doing this and I’ve enjoyed 16 of them,” Meier said.

The resignation comes on the heels of a controversial decision on variances for a four-story hotel on Route 9 northbound at the intersection of Northwoods Place. The hotel is designed to include more than 150 rooms, in addition to a 200-seat restaurant and a 400-seat conference center.

Meier said he did not care either way if the township got a hotel, but that he was more concerned on whether the decision made by the board could be supported upon appeal.

Patch.com reported the variances were approved with a 6-1 vote, with Meier abstaining and Zoning Board member Valeri Morone voting against it.

Morone has also submitted a letter of resignation, but Gotto said she referenced a personal commitment and spending more time with her family as the reason for her departure.

Gotto said he also did not know why Meier was upset and that the council does not interact with the zoning board, because doing so would be violation of the process.

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“The council has no involvement with the Zoning Board I don’t know what Mr. Meir is talking about,” Gotto said. “It would be inappropriate for this council or any council to provide guidance or suggestions to any member of the zoning board. And I’m pretty sure that if we had done that, that Mr. Meir as well as other members of the Zoning Board would and it would be right for them to complain to the authorities had we done that.”

Gotto also thanked Meier for his service to the community.

“Anybody who serves on a board for as long as he did has my respect and I wish him well,” Gotto said.