Your Township Committee

Current Mayor Tom Charles served on the Frelinghuysen Township Committee from 1990 – 2008, holding the position of Mayor from 2003 through the end of 2008.  In 2009, Tom left the committee after his election to president of the Green Township Fire Department.  Tom was re-elected to the Township Committee in November, 2009.  Over the years, Tom has been active on several committees in Frelinghuysen.  He served on the Board of Adjustment from 1984 – 1990.  Tom also volunteered on the Municipal Alliance Committee for several years, and has been a member of the township Recreation Committee since 1990.   In addition, Tom has served on the Open Space committee, Farmland Preservation committee, and the Planning Board   Tom joined the Green Township Fire Department in 2005 and was one of the oldest recruits to graduate from the Morris County Fire Academy.

Tom and his family have lived on a 72-acre farm in Frelinghuysen for many years.  In addition to using their own property, the family raises cattle and grows hay, alfalfa and feed corn on adjoining farmland.  A large portion of the cattle are sold each year for herd improvement or to a local custom slaughter operation.

A physical therapist by trade, Tom owned Morris Area Rehabilitation Associates for thirty years before selling the company to Physio Therapy Association in 2000.  Tom is still involved in the business, sitting on the Board of Directors as well as doing occasional consulting work for the parent company.  Tom and his wife, Jean, also operate the Always an Adventure Real Estate Company, an organization which specializes in rental properties in vacation areas, like the Outer Banks of North Carolina as well as in northwestern New Jersey.

David C. Boynton was elected to the Township Committee in 1998 and served as committee person and/or Deputy Mayor until 2007.  After a brief hiatus, he was re-elected in 2009.  He has volunteered on the Frelinghuysen Township Planning Board for 24 years, serving as a regular member, co-chairman, chairman, and as the Mayor’s designee.

He is a past member of the Municipal Alliance Committee, and has been a member of the Recreation Committee for 12 years.  David also spent 15 years as a recreation basketball coach, coaching both boys and girls, in grades 3-8.

David and his family reside on a farm in Frelinghuysen, raising chickens, pigs, sheep, and beef cattle as well as making hay on his farm and on adjoining farmland.  All pigs, sheep and some cattle are sold to a custom slaughter operation, while replacement feeder calves are sold to private breeders.

A painting and wallpaper contractor for 42 years, he operates throughout Warren, Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon and Essex County.  David has also been involved in the rehabilitation of multi-use and multiple dwellings mostly in the Montclair area.  Locally, David was involved in the conversion of the American House Hotel and adjoining annex into office space in historic Hope, New Jersey.

As a Committeeman, David would like to reduce the municipal budget with the goal of keeping our local taxes at a zero increase or less for 2011.  His other objective is to push for the development and completion of Rydell Park to satisfy the recreational needs of our residents.

Dale Durling, Sr., was elected to the Frelinghuysen Township Committee in November, 2007, and he served as mayor from January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010.  Durling’s past community involvement also includes the chairmanship of both the Frelinghuysen Township Board of Adjustment and the Warren County Board of Construction Appeals, as well as a seat on the Township Planning Board.  He is also past President of the Sussex and Warren Electrical Contractors Association.

Durling’s service to the community began nearly 40 years ago when he and wife Gail, resided in Independence Township.  During his tenure as an Independence Township resident, Durling served as a member of the Independence Township Board of Education and as a member of the Independence Township Planning Board.  Further, Durling, was employed as an Independence police officer, was an Independence Township volunteer firefighter, and helped to build the Independence First Aid Squad building.

Durling spent his early childhood living on his grandparents’ Greendell Road farm.  In fact, he was in the first kindergarten class to attend the current Frelinghuysen Township Elementary school on Route 94.  Upon construction of his current home, Durling returned to Frelinghuysen in 1985, so that he and his wife could raise their two children, Renay and Dale Jr., in his hometown.  Durling and his son now serve as President and General Manager, respectively, of Wire’s Electric Shop, where the elder Durling started as an electrician in 1970.  Durling presently has three grandchildren, all of whom currently attend Frelinghuysen Elementary School.

Durling is the only member of the Frelinghuysen Township Committee who can claim historical precedence for the position.  Two of his great-great-Uncles also served on the Frelinghuysen Township Committee; Isaac J. Durling was elected from 1857-1863, while Joseph Durling’s tenure ran from 1868-1870.  “I have a strong interest in Frelinghuysen Township,” comments Durling.  “I am interested in preserving the township so that my family and neighbors can enjoy the community that I and several generations of my ancestors have enjoyed.”

“I believe that my common sense and logical approach will benefit residents of the community as I serve on the Township Committee,” continues Durling.  “I am a team player and am committed to working with all present and newly-elected members of the Township Committee for the best interest of the Township.”

Frank Desiderio, was re-elected to a second three-year position on the Frelinghuysen Township Committee in November, 2010.  Desiderio has lived in the township for more than 20 years and is a long-time volunteer at the local level.  In 2006, he was given an award for Outstanding Service by Frelinghuysen Township in recognition of his volunteer efforts.  A heavy equipment earth moving contractor, Desiderio currently serves on the Township Planning Board and acts as Township Road Supervisor.   He took a leadership role in developing the new ball fields and soccer fields adjacent to town hall.

The father of two children who currently attend North Warren Middle School, Desiderio and his wife, Karen, settled in Frelinghuysen Township because of the school system, open space and affordable taxes.  He chose to run for re-election to the Township Committee because he enjoyed serving the citizens of Frelinghuysen Township but he remains concerned about overdevelopment in the area.  “I see our open space disappearing, our schools becoming more crowded, and our roads no longer able to handle the increasing volume of traffic,” comments Desiderio.  “As Road Supervisor, I have worked with the Township Road Department to improve our roads and make them safe.  I have served on the Planning Board to help control development in the township.  I appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me by all of our residents.” 

Local businessman Alan DeCarolis was elected to the Township Committee in November, 2007.  De Carolis has a long history of service to Frelinghuysen Township, including eleven years as Animal Control Officer, thirteen years of volunteering on the Environmental Commission, and twenty years as a member of the Planning Board.  De Carolis has served as Vice Chairman of the Planning Board for much of that time.  In addition to Frelinghuysen, De Carolis currently serves as Animal Control Officer for Hardwick, Blairstown, Knowlton, Hope, Green, Stillwater and Hampton townships.  De Carolis owns a trucking business, “All American Carting, Inc.,” which provides dumpster services to commercial enterprises. 

A resident of the township since 1963, De Carolis was elected on a platform which encouraged the community to strive to preserve the type of community which existed in Frelinghuysen 40 years ago.  His “Keep it Simple” campaign advocated keeping a low profile, encouraging farmland preservation and the preservation of open space, but without the addition of increased taxes.

De Carolis currently resides on the 100+ acre farm where he was raised.  He raises a variety of animals, but has plans to create a horse farm in the future.

While serving on the Township Committee, De Carolis hopes to reflect the majority opinion of Frelinghuysen residents, even if he happens to disagree with them on a particular issue.  “I want to do the best I can for the general public.  I don’t have my own agenda but I’m going to voice my opinion.  Different opinions and different backgrounds make the board diverse.  I think that people in a position of power have to look at the overall picture and represent what the majority of the people want.” 

Brenda J. Kleber began her career in Frelinghuysen Township in 1987 as the Secretary for the Board of Adjustment. A bookkeeper as a young adult, Brenda took time off from her career to raise her two children. Upon returning to the workforce, Brenda worked as the Office Manager for an insurance agency at Panther Valley in Allamuchy.

One year after she became the Secretary for the Board of Adjustment, she took on the responsibilities of the Deputy Municipal Clerk. At that time, Brenda began pursuing her certification towards the position of Municipal Clerk by completing the required courses and passing the State examination.

Following her certification in 1990, Brenda took on full responsibilities as the Municipal Clerk, and continues to serve in that position as well as Secretary for the Board of Adjustment. She also holds the position of Treasurer for the Recreation Committee.

Brenda and her husband Richard have lived in Frelinghuysen Township since 1973. With two children, six grandchildren, and a 40 hour week at work, Brenda doesn’t have much time for extracurricular activities. She does enjoy reading, working in her flower garden and canning apples and peaches from the fruit trees on their farm.