BRICK – Councilman Vince Minichino announced that he would be resigning, effective September 29, due to personal reasons. This is his second term, having been elected first in 2019 and again in 2023, which means his current term is scheduled to run until December 31, 2027.
So what happens next, since there is now a vacancy on the seven-member governing body?
According to state law, the procedure to fill Minichino’s seat is provided in the “Municipal Vacancy Law,” which states that the governing body may fill the vacancy directly by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term, if the vacancy occurs on or after September 1.
Vacancies occurring before September 1 must be filled at the next general election, with the governing body permitted to make a temporary appointment until that election takes place.
Since Minichino’s resignation took effect on September 29, the Municipal Vacancy Law provides that a committee composed of the political party of the incumbent – in this case, Democrat – has 15 days to forward three nominees to the Township Clerk, Lynnette Iannorone, who will then forward the names to the governing body for their consideration.
Within 30 days of the vacancy, one of those nominees must be appointed to fill the unexpired term. An appointment to fill the vacancy will be by a majority vote of the remaining council members. In the event of a tie, Mayor Lisa Crate would cast the deciding vote.
Minichino’s professional life includes a 30-year labor career, serving as a Teamster with Local #102 and has held the role as shop steward, chief steward, and vice president.
He later served as a business agent and executive board member for Teamsters Local #469, negotiating public and private sector contracts.
Minichino served as council president in 2022 and 2024.
