The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)  held its annual election of officers on March 19, naming Republican Robert Mulholland of Sandy Hook to a second one-year term as the agency’s chairman.

Mr Mulholland had served as the panel’s vice chairman before first becoming its chairman more than a year ago.

Named to a second one-year term as vice chairman was Republican Michael Porco, Sr.

Additionally, the membership named Democrat Don Mitchell to a second one-year term as the agency’s secretary.

At the March 19 P&Z session, all three men were reelected unanimously to serve another term as officers. There were no contests for the three officer positions.

The P&Z has eight members, five of whom are regular members, and three of whom are alternate members.

Besides Messrs Mulholland, Porco, and Mitchell, the other P&Z regular members are Republicans Jim Swift and Frank Corigliano.

The three alternates are unaffiliated member Rudolph Pozek and Republicans David Ruhs and Fredrick Taylor.

All eight P&Z members are eligible to vote for officers; all eight men attended the March 19 session.

The P&Z is charged with promoting the orderly and coordinated development of the town and the general welfare and prosperity of its residents.

In its role as the zoning agency, the panel regulates the use and development of land by dividing it into zoning districts. It regulates the principal and accessory uses permitted within those zones.

As the town’s planning agency, the P&Z regulates the subdivision of land. It also formulates the decennial Town Plan of Conservation and Development, a document that lists many planning objectives and goals.

The P&Z also serves as the borough’s planning commission. The borough has its own zoning commission.