Unger calls on residents to serve on Zoning Board LONG BRANCH - Councilman Brian Unger is issuing a call to residents who may be interested in serving on the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Zoning Board considers variances for applications that propose to utilize a building or property in a manner not consistent with the city's zoning laws. Unger is asking that letters of interest and résumés be sent to his attention at City Hall, 344 Broadway, Long Branch 07740. There are currently two vacancies on the Zoning Board for alternate members who are eligible to vote and participate in meetings when one or more regular member is absent. Alternate membership often leads to full membership when a regular seat opens up, according to Unger. The Zoning Board meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at city hall on Broadway. Unger said he favored adoption of the Citizens' Campaign's open application process for city boards, commissions and authorities, which was introduced recently by Citizens'Campaign staff in several public meetings at Brookdale Community College in Long Branch. The open application process provides for a notification process so that city residents are automatically notified when an open position is under consideration, provides a standardized application form for all residents, and ensures that both the city Web site and the clerk's office maintain an updated list of all vacancies. It also requires that all applications be kept on file as a public record so that all city residents can see who the applicants are. "The Citizens' Campaign proposal greatly increases the transparency of the appointments process in our city, and yet it doesn't eliminate the discretion of the mayor or City Council to make its own choices," Unger said. "I know many Long Branch citizens want to serve, but because the political process is often closed, or just looks closed, they have no idea where to turn or how to get involved," he said. "I think this could be a positive step for a city committed to diversity and open government."