Byram hires Spinelli and Pinto

BYRAM — The township recently decided to retain the services of Chester-based Spinelli and Pinto Consulting, LLC to assist in their open space preservation efforts starting in July.
Pequannock Township in Morris County also hired the firm, which specializes in open space, agriculture and strategic planning for governments, individual landowners and nonprofit organizations. It provides professional services in the areas of land preservation, farmland preservation, farmland assessment and open space management.
The firm was founded by principals Ben Spinelli and Frank Pinto, who have more than 40 years of combined experience in dealing with land preservation issues at the state, county and local levels. Both spent their careers in public service working on open space and farmland preservation policies, including achieving deals that have resulted in the preservation of thousands of acres of important environmentally sensitive, recreational and agricultural land.
“Byram will have us focus on stewardship of woodlands and also market its trail network as an eco-tourism destination. Byram Township officials see the natural beauty of their communities as a destination for city dwellers and others,” Pinto said.
“Pequannock will have us zero in on acquisitions for its Pompton River Walk trail, in addition to flood buyout acquisitions,” Spinelli said. “We will likely also advise the township on how to use its existing open space properties for active recreational purposes where appropriate.”
Spinelli served for nearly a decade as mayor of Chester Township, where he worked to preserve more than 1,000 acres of agriculturally important land and more than 1,000 acres of open space and parkland. He is a former executive director of the New Jersey Office of State Planning.
Pinto was director of the highly successful Morris County Farmland Preservation program for 15 years.
Among Spinelli and Pinto’s clients is the Monmouth County. The firm is working with the Monmouth County Division of Economic Development, the Planning Division, and Rutgers University to prepare a comprehensive study and recommendations to preserve and improve the county’s agricultural economy. The yearlong project also includes a “Grown in Monmouth” marketing plan to encourage people to buy local products.