Jim Stevens was elected as the Vice Chair of the Beach Haven Land Use Board for the year 2024 following a meeting that saw no nominations for the Chairman position. Gina Sauchelli was appointed as the Joint Board Secretary, while the law firm Parlee Stachler was retained as legal counsel for the board. These appointments were made as part of the board’s reorganization, an annual task to establish the leadership and administrative support for the year ahead.

The election of the Vice Chair and the appointment of the Joint Board Secretary and legal counsel are critical for the board’s function, as these roles are integral to upholding the procedural integrity of the board’s work. The Vice Chair position, in particular, is of significant importance, as this officer presides over meetings in the absence of the Chairman and plays a key role in guiding the board’s discussions and decisions.

In addition to addressing the reorganization, the board tackled the issue of meeting schedules. A conflict with Veterans Day prompted a motion to change the date of a meeting, which the board approved after some deliberation. This decision reflects the board’s respect for national holidays and its commitment to ensuring that board members and the public can attend meetings without such conflicts.

One notable debate during the meeting was the role of the board in discussing the architectural guidelines for the town’s business district. The debate centered on whether the Land Use Board had the necessary expertise to engage in discussions about architectural matters. While some members showed support for the guidelines and the importance of the board’s feedback on the document, others were skeptical of the board’s purview over architectural issues. Despite these differing opinions, the board secretary underscored the availability of the guidelines on the town’s website and encouraged members to familiarize themselves with the document.

In a move to uphold administrative efficiency, the board approved the adoption of rules and regulations, which included Roberts Rules of Order to supplement the board’s own rules and procedures. This adoption aims to streamline meetings and ensure that they are conducted in an orderly and efficient manner.

Furthermore, the board tackled the issue of meeting duration. Concerns were raised over meetings extending too late into the evening, notably until 10:30 pm.

The meeting also involved routine but necessary administrative actions such as the approval of minutes from previous meetings and the authorization of bill payments. These actions, while standard, are essential to the board’s operation, ensuring that records are kept accurately and that financial obligations are met in a timely manner.