MANCHESTER – Elected officials began 2024 by charting the direction of their respective boards and swearing in members during recent reorganization meetings.
The mayor and Township Council came together for their first meeting of the year on January 2 at the municipal building. Mayor Robert Arace said he will be making a state of the township address during the Council’s 6 p.m. January 22 meeting.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for the honor of serving as your mayor. The year 2023 has been tremendous and I want to thank my wife for helping me get through it and for the next three years and hopefully more. I want to thank the members of council, the department heads – I could not have done it without you,” he added.
Township Councilman Craig Wallis took the oath of office several hours prior to the reorganization meeting surrounded by friends and family. He is filling the remaining term of former Councilman Sam Fusaro who resigned in January of 2023. Wallis ran unopposed in November’s general election.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 years and six months and 40 days,” Wallis remarked. “It has been an extreme honor of mine to serve in this town for so long. Hopefully, I bring some common sense to the governing body. My wife has supported me along with my daughter. I want to thank everyone for all the support over all these years.”
Councilman Joseph Hankins remarked, “I’d like to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve.”
Councilwoman Michele Zolezi congratulated Wallis on his re-election. “He’s done a lot for this town and we respect your service. I look forward to working with you and all my constituents and colleagues in the next year and keeping Manchester Township the great community that it is.”
Council President Roxy Conniff and Council Vice President James Vaccaro didn’t have to change their seating arrangements as they will remain in their positions for the year 2024.
Conniff remarked, “I think we have a lot to look forward to in 2024 in Manchester. I think the mayor worked very hard last year.”
“I want to thank my fellow council members for nominating me in serving as vice council president in 2024. look forward to 2024 with excitement as we actively attempt to attract small businesses, commercial establishments, private and franchise restaurants and an immediate health care village,” Vaccaro said.
He also renewed his request for the governing body to work towards “establishing a senior center. We must always be cognizant and aware to maintain the rural character of Manchester Township. I look forward to seeing in 2024 achievements and economic progress.”
The meeting produced few changes or surprises. Under mayoral appointments, William Baron was made Class IV planning board member, Stacy Drake as Class III alternate member and William Fuller an alternate II.
Also appointed were Richard Chevrier, Joe Baldwin, Mark Rossman and John Zupan to fill the position of special law enforcement class III officer in the division of police. Ryan Cheslock, Anthony Deblasio and Harry Paul were appointed as full-time police officers.
Brian Ruditsky was appointed as deputy Emergency Management Coordinator and Joseph J. Faccone of Samuel Klein and Company was appointed as township auditor. Lauren Staiger was reappointed as the township’s attorney and Jean Cipriani was appointed as Counsel On Affordable Housing matters.
Leonard A. Failo of Remington & Vernick was appointed for engineering services for sewer and water and Matthew Wilder of Morgan Engineering was appointed as township engineer. Robert Mullin of Colliers Engineering was appointed as special projects engineer.
Matthew Sage was appointed as the township’s public defender and Brian and Debra Rumpf as conflict public defender. Bonnie Peterson will serve as municipal prosecutor.
Joseph Coronato of Coronato Law was appointed for legal services for tax foreclosures. His firm was appointed as conflict municipal prosecutor while Brady and Kunz PC were appointed as tax appeal attorney.
Board Of Education
The Manchester Township Board of Education held its reorganization meeting a few days later on January 4, at Manchester Township Middle School on Ridgeway Road.
Laura Wingler was sworn in for her second term. She was the top vote-getter in November with 5,184 votes. Joining her in taking the oath of office was Gloria Adkinson, who received 4,837 votes, and Timothy Poss, who received 4,289 votes.
Manchester Board of Education member Mike Kelliher, left, joins fellow members Timothy Poss, Gloria Adkinson, George Cervenak III, Laura Wingler, Gayle Mount and Fay Weinstein. (Photo courtesy Manchester Schools)
Poss had been appointed in August to the seat held by Ken Pate, who stepped down from the board over the summer. Gina Georgiano, who had been seeking re-election, was defeated in the election.
Gayle Mount serves as Board president while Wingler serves as Board vice president this year. Upcoming Board meetings include January 17, February 21 and March 20 6:30 p.m. at the Middle School Conference room.
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