Frank Pinto’s entire adult life serving the public, both personally and professionally, has well prepared him for a position on the Township Committee. A dedicated public servant for 37 years, Frank has the experience and expertise that will translate seamlessly to allow him to help guide the direction of the future of Mansfield Township. His frustration in recent years with the haphazard township planning and short-term fixes which have led to the current explosion of warehouse development has given him even more motivation to make a difference. Amy Wright, with her unique training and expertise, is the perfect complement to his skill set, and together they are committed to the future of Mansfield that preserves quality of life for generations to come.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Frank graduated from Cook College, Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Public Health. Upon graduating Frank worked as a municipal Health Inspector in Morris County for five years, then went on to work for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in various capacities over the next 32 years before retiring in 2018.
Frank’s experience as a Health Inspector at the municipal level taught him a lot about how a municipal government works, and what it is like to serve the public at the local level. His work responsibilities routinely had him working alongside municipal police, local fire and construction officials to address and enforce local health and nuisance codes.
Frank’s first position with the NJDEP was as an On-Scene Coordinator, responsible for overseeing state engineering and remediation contractors remediating hazardous waste sites. This was primarily a field position that gave Frank experience overseeing contractors at a wide variety of hazardous waste cleanups, including landfills, old industrial sites and chemical spill sites to ensure public funds were appropriately spent and cleanups were done in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
Frank was promoted to the manager responsible for all Contract Administration in the Site Remediation Program, as well as environmental grant and loan programs for leaking underground storage tanks and environmental damages. Frank developed an expertise in remediation contracting and was considered the program’s expert in contract development knowledge and interpretation. He was the NJDEP’s liaison to the New Jersey Department of The Treasury for all remediation contract development and bidding.
Ultimately Frank became the Assistant Director in charge of all Financial Services for the Site Remediation Program. He was responsible for all Contract Administration, Procurement, Grant & Loan Programs, and developing and overseeing an annual budget of approximately $60 million. During this time he also managed a state auditing contract for engineering services. In addition to these functions Frank’s program was responsible for working with the Office of the Attorney General in recovering state funds spent remediating hazardous waste sites from those companies responsible for causing the contamination. This included taking legal action, and/or, negotiating monetary settlements with companies. Frank’s career has afforded him vast experience in dealing with attorneys and complex legal issues.
MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP EXPERIENCE:
As of January of this year Frank has served as a member of the Joint Land Use Board (JLUB) as well as the Environmental Commission; being the Environmental Commission liaison to the JLUB. He also served on the Mansfield Township Planning Board as an Alternate from 1998 – 2003, and on the Recreation Committee from 1999-2006; serving as Chairman of the Recreation Committee for 2 of those years. From approximately 1995 through 2010, Frank coached Mansfield youth recreation league teams in baseball, basketball and soccer, as well as a travel soccer team. Frank also umpired in the Northern Burlington baseball league for several years.
Frank has attended, and been outspoken at, Township Committee and Planning Board meetings over the years. He was a vocal critic at Committee and Planning Board meetings for the warehouse currently being constructed adjacent to Aaronson Road; specifically regarding its close proximity to residential neighborhoods. Frank also testified in court several times in 2019 over the siting of the Towergate Affordable Housing development adjacent to Crystal Lake Park. Most recently Frank was outspoken at meetings about the elimination of the Environmental Commission by last years’ Township Committee.
PERSONAL:
Frank grew up in rural Hunterdon County. He spent his summers while in high school working at a local farm and orchard. He enjoyed growing up in those surroundings, which ultimately helped shape his love of the type of rural farming community Columbus represents. He and his wife Deborah have lived in Mansfield for 30 years, and raised two now adult sons, Anthony and Alex, who both grew up in the township and went through the township and Northern Burlington school systems.
INTERESTS:
Frank enjoys traveling, playing guitar, singing, songwriting and following Rutgers sports teams. Frank also enjoys volunteering with his wife Deborah at the St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Bordentown, which his wife helps manage.
SKILLS HE WOULD BRING TO THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE:
- 37 years of experience as a public servant
- Knowledge of Municipal Land Use Law, Zoning, and local ordinances.
- Research – Over 30 years of experience in the NJDEP taught Frank how to research laws, regulations and local ordinances. In addition, Frank also has over 30 years of experience reading and interpreting site plans, engineering drawings, and technical specifications.
- Negotiating – Frank routinely led, or participated in, Cost Recovery negotiations while at the NJDEP resulting in monetary settlements with corporations of all sizes.
- Budgeting, Procurement & Contract Administration – Frank oversaw a $60 million annual budget as well as all Contract Administration and Procurement for the NJDEP’s Site Remediation Program. He also understands New Jersey’s Local Public Contracts Law, which is utilized by municipal governments for procurement activities.
INTERESTING FACT:
While at Rutgers University, Frank was the Captain of the Fencing Team, a three-time NCAA qualifier, two-time NCAA Finalist and an All-American. Known by opposing coaches as a fighter who would never give up, Frank has adopted that mindset his entire professional career as well as how he has approached his volunteer work on Mansfield Township’s Boards and Committees.
QUOTE:
“No one can say that I am unprepared for Township meetings. I strongly believe that anyone in a position of authority on any Board or Committee has to put in the time to research the subject matter, the laws, regulations and ordinances that apply, and all the materials that apply to the individual applications that come before the Township. Anything less is doing a disservice to the Township and its residents. To be on the Township Committee takes a lot of commitment, and I’m willing to put as much time as necessary to ensure our community interests are well represented”.