PHOTOS/RECAP: Clark Reorganization Meeting

On New Year’s Day at 12 noon, the Clark town council met in council chambers for the council reorganization meeting.

State Senator Nicholas Scutari was on hand to swear in the four reelected councilmen: Frank Mazzarella (R-First Ward), Patrick O’Connor (R-Second Ward), Richard Kazanowski (D-Third Ward) and Brian Toal (R- Fourth Ward).

After the swearing in the councilmen, Scutari thanked the residents and council. “I wish you best of luck in the next year,” said Scutari. “I know that this year, as many years, have been trying on local governments with strains from top to bottom, tax bases evaporating, state aid that isn’t what it was. You have to do more with less. I wish you best of luck in those endeavors and certainly offer my service to you in any way.”

The first order of business was to elect a council president and vice president. The council unanimously voted in favor of nominations for Councilman Frank Mazzarella as council president and Councilwoman Sheila Whiting as council vice president, and Mayor Sal Bonaccorso swore them in.

Next Clerk Edie Merkel read the mayor’s appointments and council appointments (see the list below). The council then adopted several resolutions, including adopting temporary muncipal, sewer and swim pool utility budgets. For a full list of resolutions, see the attached PDF, above right. Council President Mazzarella then announced the council committees and liaisons for 2011 (see below). The Clark Republican committee made a presentation congratulating councilmen Mazzarella, O'Connor, Toal, followed by a presentation from the Clark Democrats to Councilman Kazanowski.

The meeting concluded with Mayor Sal Bonaccorso’s State of the Township Address. Bonaccorso reflected on the town’s accomplishments in 2010, pointing to New Jersey Monthly designating Clark as the 24th Best Place to Live, Bloomberg Businessweek naming Clark the 10th best affordable suburb in the country, L’Oreal’s decision to stay in Clark rather than relocate, approval of the controversial $60 million age-restricted housing complex approved for Terminal Ave. West, and the ability of the town to meet the tough economic year without layoffs or cuts to town services. Bonaccorso acknowledged concerns about increasing costs from the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, and pledged to continue to work towards moving Clark in a positive direction.

Mayor’s Appointments

Library Board of Trustees (confirmed by council) – Cynthia Seng (5 year term); Councilwoman Angel Albanese - Mayor’s Alternate (1 year term)

Affirmative Action Officer – Donna Mazzucco (2 year term)

Union County Utilities Authority Solid Waste Advisory Board – Councilman Brian Toal (1 year term) 

Union County Transportation Advisory Board – Joseph Pubchara (1 year term)

Traffic Advisory Board (1 year terms) – Chief Denis Connell, Chairman; Sal Bonaccorso, Mayor; John Laezza, Business Administrator; Richard O’Connor, Engineer; Councilman Alvin Barr, Chairman, Public Safety Committee; Councilwoman Sheila Whiting, Emergency Management Liaison; Sgt. Mike Pollock, Traffic Bureau; Kenneth Knops, Superintendent Clark Public Schools

Planning Board – Kevin Koch (Class IV member, 4 year term); John Zamboni (Class IV member, 4 year term); James Zizza (Class IV member, 4 year term); Mayor Sal Bonaccorso (Class I member, 1 year term); John Laezza (Class II member, 1 year term)           

Environmental Commission (3 year term) –Edward Dubroski, Martha Kamichoff

Council Appointments

Insurance Fund Commissioners (JIF) (1 year term) – John Laezza; Councilman Alvin Barr (Alternate)

Environmental Commission (2 year term)  – Kyle Mulligan (Alternate II)

Municipal Pool Utility - Council Liaisons (1 year term) – Councilwoman Sheila Whiting (Chairwoman); Councilman Brian Toal (Vice Chairman)

Pool Advisory Board  – Terri Rodrigues, Regular Member (Filling the unexpired term of Angela Keenan ending 12/31/12); Maria Rose Breien, Regular Member (Filling the unexpired term of Lisa Scaturo ending 12/31/11); Toni Bilella, Regular Member (1 year term); Kathy Prestinari, Regular Member (1 year term); Christine Thornton, Alternate II (1 year term)

Planning Board – Councilman Frank Mazzarella, Class III Member (1 year term); Joseph Pubchara, Alternate II Member (2 year term)

Board of Adjustment – Patrick Campione, Regular Member (4 year term); John Passuth, Regular Member (4 year term); Douglas Krok, Regular Member (4 year term); Ed Ruth, Alternate II Member (2 year term)

Council Committees and Liaisons

Finance – Patrick O’Connor, Chairman; Angel Albanese, Frank Mazzarella

Legislative –Patrick O’Connor, Chairman; Frank Mazzarella, Brian Toal

Parks & Recreation – Sheila Whiting, Chairwoman; Patrick O’Conner; Angel Albanese

Public Works – Frank Mazzarella, Chairman; Richard Kazanowski; Brian Toal

Public Safety – Alvin Barr, Chairman; Richard Kazanowski; Frank Mazzarella

Board of Education Liaison – Angel Albanese

Emergency Squad Liaison – Patrick O’Connor

Recreation Liaison –Sheila Whiting

Fire Department Liaison – Alvin Barr

Rent Monitoring Board Liaison – Richard Kazanowski

Police Department Liaison – Frank Mazzarella

Emergency Management Liaison – Sheila Whiting

Public Works Liaison – Frank Mazzarella

Environmental Commission Liaison – Brian Toal

Public Library Liaison – Angel Albanese

Senior Citizens Liaison – Alvin Barr