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.
Mayor John Bacchione, joined by his family, repeats the oath of office from his predecessor, former Mayor Carmen Amato. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
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.”
There was a standing-room-only crowd for Mayor John Bacchione’s first meeting. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
“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.
Councilman Thomas Grosse, joined by his family, is read the oath of office from Senator-elect Carmen Amato. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
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.”
Councilman Keith Buscio, joined by his family, is read the oath of office from Senator-elect Carmen Amato. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
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.”
Councilman Douglas Bowens, joined by his family, is read the oath of office from Senator-elect Carmen Amato. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
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
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