BERKELEY – The swearing in of the four incumbent Township Council members offered a time of reflection for the governing body, and a time to discuss future plans.
The council members – James Byrnes, Sophia Gingrich, Angelo Guadagno, and Judith Noonan – were sworn in by Congressman Thomas MacArthur (R-3rd) for terms that will last until the end of 2021. Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin (R-10th) and Freeholder Virginia Haines were also in attendance.
The ceremony also included a recording of Jim Mooney singing the National Anthem. Mooney was a veteran who would sing the song at special events in town before his passing. As the song played, members of the audience slowly joined in.
MacArthur addressed the public, and noted that the position of elected official comes with some sacrifice. He briefly mentioned how he didn’t remember getting “beat up” as much as he does now when he was a local official, and attributed that to how divided the country is. Coming back around to the Berkeley officials, he commended them on their choice to serve the town and its people.
Haines expressed a similar notion, that especially on a local level, “that’s when people really want to connect with you.” So, you have to make yourself available, whether you can solve their problem or not.
Councilwoman Sophia Gingrich had been president of the council this year, and handed off the reins to Byrnes. He had been council president in 2012, 2013, and 2014, in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, even though his home had been damaged as well.
“Being council president, you assume a lot of responsibilities,” she said, noting that she couldn’t have done it without the support of the other council members.
Each of the council members had a chance to comment, and thanked voters for their confidence in them to continue doing their jobs.
The reorganization meeting was also a time to appoint employees and members of volunteer boards, such as:
- Deputy clerk Karen Stallings
- Holman, Frenia, and Allison, PC – township auditor
- William Antonides and Co. – accountant in fee
- Golf Advisory Committee: Councilman John Bacchione, Sal Mastroberti, Taylor Butler, Brendan Villano, and Nick Donatiello
- Planning Board Class III member John Bacchione
- Municipal prosecutors Citta, Holzapfel, and Zabarsky; and individually Steven A. Zabarsky, Eugene Racz, Alexander Becker, Morgan Montano, Paul Granick, Ronald DeLigny, Robert Greitz, and Brian Wilkie. Alternates would be Bonnie Peterson, George Murphy, Gregory McGuckin, Christopher Koutsouris, Jerry Dasti, Christopher Connors, Robert Ulaky, and Christopher Dasti.
- Municipal public defender Brian DiStefano.
- Conflict public defender Gregory Hock and Benjamin H. Mabie, III.
- Conflict township engineers T&M Associates, Najarian Associates, Alaimo Group, Pennoni, and CME.
- Conflict township planners Remington, Vernick & Vena, Najarian Associates, CME.
- Consulting township engineers T&M Associates, Najarian Associates, Alaimo Group, Pennoni, CME, Maser Consulting.
- Capital project township engineers Remington, Vernick & Vena, Najarian Associates, Alaimo Group, Pennoni, CME, T&M Associates, Pennoni, and Maser Consulting
- Environmental engineer Najarian Associates
- Senior Citizens Advisory Committee members Councilwoman Judith Noonan and Gilbert C. Wels
- Architectural services as needed Lanuto Architecture
- Conflict township attorneys Benjamin H. Mabie, III, Kevin Riordan, Meghan Bennett Clark of Gluck Walrath, Gregory McGuckin and Christopher Dasti of Dasti, Murphy, and McGuckin, Dina Vicari of R.C. Shea and Associates, Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky
- Public agency compliance officer Frederick Ebenau
- Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund Committee: Councilman James Byrnes, Gina Russo, Councilwoman Judith Noonan, Jerome Bollettieri, Nancy Seibert, Kenneth Mika
- Fire Committee Councilman Thomas Grose, Brian Corson, Salvatore Ferlise, Albert Molinaro, James Murray, Jack Wiegartner, and Richard Jennings
- Open space planner Remington, Vernick & Vena
- Real estate appraisal services Henry Mancini & Associates
- Recreation Advisory Council Keith Fisher
- Zoning Board of Adjustment: Louis Tuminaro, Richard Elliott, Jr., John MacMoyle, Tom Bellinato, and alternates Thomas DiMichele, Jason Gerb, and Kenneth Mika
- Municipal Utilities Authority Sam Cammarato, Michael Hale, and Jerome Bollettieri
- Sewerage Authority Kevin Askew, Stephen Pellecchia, and alternate Joseph Bruscino, Jr.
- Bond counsel Meghan Bennett-Clark from Gluck Walrath
- Historian James Fosbre
- Labor counsel Hiering, Gannon & McKenna
- Alternate labor counsels Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky, Gregory McGuckin, and Kevin Riordan
- Licensing official for dogs Diane Laird
- Laurel attorney Michael A. Jedziniak of Jeffrey R. Surenian & Associates, LLC
- Township physician and police surgeon Dr. Theodore Ende, Worknet Occupational Medicine & Urgent Care Now
- Workmen’s compensation doctors: Dr. Theodore Ende, Worknet Occupational Medicine & Urgent Care Now
- Zoning prosecutor Dina Vicari of R.C. Sea & Associates
- Police chaplain Rev. Larry Maddox
- Community Development Block Grant coordinator Alan Dittenhofer of Remington, Vernick & Vena. Alternate Ernie Peters from the same firm
- Open Space Acquisition Advisory Committee Councilman Angelo Guadagno, Dr. John Hudak
- Disciplinary hearing officer Bonnie Peterson
- Commissioners to the Garden State Joint Insurance Fund business administrator John Camera, James Byrnes, and Mark Vannella
- Waterways Advisory Commission liaison James Byrnes
- Berkeley Township Housing Authority Judith Noonan
- Tax appeal attorneys Christopher Dasti, Robin LaBue, and Andrea Wyatt
- Township psychologist The Institute for Forensic Psychology
- Grant writer Bruno and Associates
- Special redevelopment council Gluck Walrath
- Cardiologist: Shore Cardiac Institute
- Financial advisor: Phoenix Advisors
- Affordable Housing Administrative Agent: Community Grants, Planning and Housing
- Veterans Commission liaison James Byrnes
- Economic Development Commission Councilman Keith Buscio and Debra Fleming
- Affordable Housing Administrative Agent NW Financial Group
