Wilson Removes Zoner Accused of Theft

A man charged last month with allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Wilson Borough Lions Club has been kicked off the borough’s zoning board.

Borough council members agreed unanimously Monday night to sack Stephen Williams, who has served as the board’s chairman.

“Given the nature of the arrest,” said Council President Leonard Feinberg, “it could affect his ability to perform [his duties].”

Last month, during a budget meeting, council decided to make the move but was required by statute to give Williams 15 days’ notice of its intention. That notice received no reply, according to borough officials.

Current zoning board member Richard Wamsley will become the new chairman, and an alternate board member, Joseph Sipel, will move to the board.

In other business, a letter of resignation by Meuser Library board member Judy Matthewson was read by borough manager Karen Lohrman. Minutes later, Lohrman said that a letter of interest in the vacated library board position had been received from William Yarka of Wilson. Council immediately voted Yarka in.

Mayor David Perruso also took time during the meeting to praise the police, fire and public works departments for their service during Superstorm Sandy.

“Everyone pitched in,” he said. He also commended the school district for providing hot showers to the public and thanked Bottom Dollar grocery store for passing out free ice to the public in Wilson.

Councilwoman Joan Lilly-Kemmerer, who herself was displaced by the storm, said she had heard from some residents who didn’t know how to reach the mayor for information during the storm. The mayor serves as the borough’s point person for natural disaster emergencies.

“I didn’t have a single message [from the public]” about the storm, said an exasperated Perruso. “I must have had hundreds of calls, ‘Are we going to have trick or treat?’”