Community development head assumes new post
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township's director of community development has decided to resign from his position and assume the role of full-time township planner.

Thomas Vigna, who has held the position since January 2000, decided to rescind his administrative title due to undisclosed reasons. Vigna could not be reached for comment by press time.

During his tenure as director, Vigna has helped implement ordinances preventing overcrowding in neighborhoods, preventing illegal rentals and residential alterations, preventing the parking of trucks and other unsightly vehicles in residential neighborhoods, tightening the tools available to code enforcement officers, establishing no-solicitation and no-flier lists and initiating proactive neighborhood cleanup campaigns. He was also integral in the review of the township master plan, which re-evaluated land use development via a comprehensive map of the township.

As planner, Vigna will still be involved in the evaluation of land use projects in town. In the near future, North Brunswick is faced with the development of the proposed transit village at the Johnson & Johnson property on Route 1. There are issues surrounding development, or the lack thereof, along routes 1, 130 and 27. Redevelopment possibilities exist along Georges Road, Livingston Avenue and Jersey Avenue. The Environmental Commission and the 2030 Committee are also seeking to make North Brunswick fully sustainable community in terms of the environment and quality of life.

"Following extensive discussions with members of the council, members of the planning and zoning boards and other planning professionals, we realized that we already have a top-notch planner right on staff and we need to take full advantage of Tom's expertise and familiarity with North Brunswick," Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack said. "While Tom's service as director of community development has been valuable to my administration and the township, I am very grateful that he is willing to answer the call to fill our need for a full-time planner."

Prior to being director, Vigna had served the township as the planner and assistant business administrator since 1993. Before that, he spent several years handling the development approval process for a private developer and more than a dozen years as a professional planning consultant representing numerous municipalities.

Vigna will remain the department director until his successor has been named, which is expected in the next few weeks.