BERKELEY – With the transition of the leadership going from longtime Mayor Carmen Amato to longtime Councilman John Bacchione, residents are told to expect consistency in the way the town listens to and serves the people.
Amato is stepping up to be a senator, representing the 9th District in the state legislature. Bacchione was became the new mayor on January 1. A reorganization meeting on that day was a time for the elected officials to look back on the year and to plan ahead.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my hometown,” Amato said. “We have a good foundation here. Berkeley Township is moving in the right direction.”
Bacchione and his running mates were sworn in prior to the meeting by Township Attorney Lauren Staiger. Amato conducted the oath of office for them in front of a packed house for ceremony. Keith Buscio and Thomas Grosse were incumbents. Douglas Bowens joined from the Berkeley Township Board of Education.
Councilman Buscio was chosen as the council president, which means he’ll run meetings and set the agenda. “Best of luck to Carmen Amato and our new mayor,” he said. “We do have challenges but I think we also have opportunities.”
Grosse said he was very excited to work with Bacchione locally and Amato on the state level. To the audience, he said “Thank you for all the trust and support you place in us.”
Bowens, in his first time addressing the town as a councilman, said that he’ll be spending much of his first term listening to people and learning what they need and how to solve their problems. He thanked his wife and family for their time and support.
County Republican Chair George Gilmore said Bacchione had asked him to speak, and he took his time to address what he referred to as the “changing of the guard.”
“You’re not losing Carmen, you’re putting him in a position to serve Berkeley and other towns in the 9th District,” he said. Additionally, you’re getting a seasoned mayor who knows the town, and understands what needs to be done.
Gilmore noted how many elected officials came out to the meeting, and said it was a tribute to Berkeley and what the mayor and council here have built.
Bacchione anchored the meeting with his first speech as mayor, where he thanked his family for their unconditional love and support through years of special township events, meetings, and late nights.
“I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful people,” he said, through the bad times, like Superstorm Sandy, to the good times, where the town has been able to grow fiscally strong.
He said he learned from Amato that it takes a team to run a town. “Now, I’m ready to lead my team as we move to 2024 and beyond.”
He remarked on how much it meant for him to be supported by the town. “It’s truly a humbling moment for me,” he said. “I won’t take it for granted.”
From the senior communities to the neighborhoods filled with kids, who will be the future, he said “God bless us all. It’s time to get back to work for you.”
Appointments
In addition to swearing in elected officials, a reorganization meeting is also a time to appoint professionals and volunteer committee members such as the following list. Many of these are the same as previous years.
- Deputy clerk: Vanessa Borio
- Auditor: Holman, Frenia, and Allison
- Golf Advisory Committee: Councilman Angelo Guadagno, Scott Selby, Taylor Butler, Brendan Villano, Nick Donatiello, Marc Slack
- Planning Board liaison: Councilman Michael Signorile
- Prosecutor: Steven Zabarsky (lead), Barry Stieber, and Brian Wilkie of Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky
- Alternate municipal prosecutor: Bonnie Peterson
- Municipal public defender: Brian DiStefano
- Conflict public defenders: John Novak, Garrick Slavick
- Conflict township engineers: Morgan Engineering, Alaimo Group, CME Associates, Owen Little Engineers, Najarian Associates, Van Cleef Engineers, Suburban Consultants, Colliers Engineering
- Conflict township planners: CME Associates, ARH Associates
- Consulting township engineers: T&M Associates, Najarian Associates, Alaimo Group, CME Associates, Colliers Engineering, Suburban Consultants, Morgan Engineering, ACT Engineers
- Capital project township engineers: Remington, Vernick & Vena Engineers, Najarian Associates, Alaimo Group, CME Associates, Morgan Engineering, T&M Associates, ACT Engineers, Suburban Consultants, Owen Little & Associates, Van Cleef Engineering
- Computer consultant: Coastal Solutions
- Senior Citizens Advisory Committee: Councilman Michael Signorile, Sylvia Ormando
- Architectural services for the Manitou Park Schoolhouse Project: Mills & Schoerning
- General architectural services: Yezzi and Associates
- Conflict township attorneys: Steven A. Zabarsky; Gregory McGuckin; Kevin Riordan; Garrick Slavick; John Novak; Joseph Coronato; Parker McKay; Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Haim, & Cipriani; Dillworth Paxton; DiFrancesco Bateman Coley Yospin Kunzman Davis Lehrer & Flaum
- Public agency compliance officer: Christine Manolio
- Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund Committee: Councilman James Byrnes
- Fire committee: Councilman Thomas Grosse (liaison), Kenneth Anderson, and the chiefs of Bayville, Pinewald, and Manito Park fire companies
- Open space planner: Remington & Vernick
- Real estate appraisals: Henry Mancini
- Recreation Advisory Council: Keith Fischer
- Zoning Board of Adjustment: William McGrath, Ralph Ferrara, Edward Gudaitis, Trent Stone, Raymond Sager, Shawn Hyland
- Municipal Utilities Authority: William McGrath
- Sewerage Authority: James Blavat
- Open Space Acquisition Advisory Committee: Councilwoman Sophia Gingrich (liaison)
- Bond counsel: Meghan Bennett of the firm Dillworth Paxson
- Historian: Gerard Morey
- Labor counsel: Armando Riccio
- Alternate labor counsel: Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky; Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm, & Cipriani; Gregory McGuckin
- Licensing official for dogs: Frank Casalino
- Township physician & police surgeon: Dr. Theodore Ende, Concentra
- Workmen’s comp doctors: Dr. Theodore Ende, Worknet Occupational Medicine
- Community Development Block Grant Coordinator: Alan Dittenhofer, Ernie Peters (alternate)
- Township’s Risk Manager: Conner, Strong & Buckelew
- Disciplinary Hearing Officers: Bonnie Peterson; Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky; Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky & Connors; Kevin Riordan
- Commissioners to the Garden State Joint Insurance Fund: Fund Commissioner – James J. Byrnes; Fund Alternate Commissioner – John Camera
- Waterways Advisory Commission: Council Liaison James Byrnes, James Blavat
- Tax appeal attorneys: Kevin B. Riordan, Dasti and Staiger PC.
- Director of Law: Lauren R. Staiger of Dasti & Staiger
- Director of Engineering: Alan Dittenhofer of Remington & Vernick
- Director of Planning: James M. Oris of Remington & Vernick
- Veterans Advisory Commission: Council Liaison – James Byrnes, James Egan, Fritz Mueller, Michael Tier Sr., Todd Crouse
- Grant writer: Bruno Associates
- Special redevelopment bond counsel: Archer & Greiner
- Financial Advisor: Phoenix Advisors, LLC
- Affordable housing administrative agent: Community Grants, Planning & Housing
- Tax foreclosure attorney: Joseph Coronato
- Title services agent: Mid-State Abstract Company
- Affordable housing consultant: NW Financial Group
- Economic Development Commission: Council Liaison – Keith Buscio
- Director of Public Works: Shawn Thomas
- Tax Collector: Maureen Cosgrove
- Township Administrator: John Camera
- Director of Treasury Finance and Collection: Christine J. Manolio
- Human Resources Director: Gina Russo
- Tax assessor: Eric Zanetti
- Chief of Police: Kevin Santucci
- Township Clerk: Karen Stallings
- Assistant Administrator: Michael Tier
- Secretary to the mayor: Stacey Georgakilis
- Confidential aid to the mayor: Anthone Ricciardi
- Municipal Alliance Committee: Stacey Georgakilis, Police (DARE) – Mikki Baranyay, Pres Of School Board – Michele Shedlock, Superintendent James Roselli, Chamber of Commerce Member – John Crisafulli, Civic Group Rep – Beth Collis, Treatment Group Rep – Christine Selby, Religious Group Rep – Shawn Hyland
- Municipal Alliance Coordinator: Jennifer Bacchione
