Historic Committee Member Might Have Violated Conflicts Policy

A member of a Ridgewood's Historic Preservation Committee may be in violation of a Village rule dealing with conflicts of interests, Patch has found.

Lynne Brady—a local architect and member of the Historic Preservation Committee—appeared as a professional before the Zoning Board of Adjustment in March. A 1996 resolution appears to forbid her from doing that while serving on the historic committee, or any other Ridgewood board.

Patch began looking into board members' potential conflicts of interest after architect Cathy Benson resigned from the Ridgewood Planning Board. She left after the village informed her of the conflict of interest policy, which states:

"[N]o member of any village board or agency, no holder of any village office, and no employee of the village shall produce for any person or entity any work product, written or unwritten which is to be presented to any village board or agency in connection with any private party application... "

Representing residents Avedis and Lusi Caparya, Brady appeared before the Zoning Board March 23, 2010 in reference to a property at 358 Stevens Ave., according to meeting minutes. The board approved variance applications to extend lot coverage and waive side-yard setback minimums for a one-story addition.

With an office on Vesta Street, Brady operates her architectural business in Ridgewood. On her website, among her qualifications, Brady lists formerly being a Planning Board member and currently sitting on the Historic Preservation Committee. Her portfolio of work includes a Ridgewood home on North Walnut Street.

When asked on the conflict-of-interest policy, Brady said she thought the Historic Preservation Committee—which is comprised of volunteers and advises the Planning Board—was not included as it only makes recommendations, not binding decisions. She wouldn't comment directly on Zoning Board applications.

Village Manger Dr. Kenneth Gabbert also declined to comment on Brady. In a previous e-mail correspondence, the village manager talked about the resolution's role for the historic committee.

"The resolution covers any board, committee, etc. So, with a strict interpretation of the resolution, members of boards should not present before any other board, committee, etc., including the Historic Preservation Commission, even though they are only advisory," he wrote Aug. 5. "While unlikely, there could be a conflict of interest as the Historical Preservation Committee works closely with the Planning Board and Zoning Board on applications."

Gabbert issued the following statement specifically on Brady: "For the record the village manager and the village are not making a comment at this time. There are no actions planned on this topic at this time."

Historic Preservation Committee Chairman Art Wrubel said he was unaware of the conflict of interest resolution. If Brady was technically in violation of the resolution, he said, that rule should be altered.

"I think this takes conflict of interest to an absurd degree. Do you know how many architects are on the board? We need more, and something like this makes it very difficult to serve," he said.

Benson, who has been an outspoken critic of expansion plans to the Valley Hospital, was appointed to the Planning Board July 14 by Ridgewood Village Council. However, she resigned before being sworn in. As an architect, she often submits applications to the Building Department and, if need be, the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

To give up all Ridgewood applications would be a financial hardship, she said. She decided against running for Village Council due to the policy, as well.

The village still seeks residents to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board.