WESTWOOD, N.J.—In addition to the swearing in of Mayor Raymond Arroyo and reelected councilmembers—with the additional swearing in of Councilmember Cheryl Hodges, who is filling out Arroyo’s unexpired term—the borough reorganization meeting of Jan. 2 saw plenty of business.
There were housekeeping matters—establishment of funds, the setting of municipal holidays, the awarding of contracts exempt from public funding, and the like—and committee assignments and other personnel moves.
Chris Montana returns to his post as council president, replacing Arroyo in that board-elected capacity.
The council is hitting the ground running with an ongoing Master Plan reexamination and preparations on the budget.
For our story on the mayoral transition, see “Arroyo Sworn as Westwood Mayor; Hodges Joins Council,” Jan. 3.
Select appointments and contracts
Borough attorney is Russell Huntington, administrator is Ben Kezmarsky, planner is Burgis Associates (designee Joseph Burgis), labor attorney is Raymond Wiss, and financial advisor is Phoenix Advisors (designee David Thompson).
Council committee assignments for 2020, with liaison and deputy liaison names
Finance, administration, and capital projects: Beth Dell, Christopher Montana; fire and ambulance: Jodi Murphy, Robert Bicocchi; police and emergency management: Chris Montana, Erin Collins; land use: Robert Bicocchi, Jodi Murphy; public properties: Erin Collins; health and recreation: Beth Dell; shared services: Beth Dell, Jodi Murphy.
Appointments to various boards
• Board of Health. Lee Tremble, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022. Betsy Beckman, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022. Jon Andresen, Alt. #1, term expiring Dec. 31, 2021. Maria Montana, Alt. #2, unexpired term expiring Dec. 31, 2020.
• Technology Committee and Website Committee. Councilmember Erin Collins (council liaison).
• Westwood Parking Authority. John Oberg, term expiring Dec, 31, 2024. Councilmember Chris Montana (council liaison).
• Library Board of Trustees. Suzanne Gorham, term expiring Dec. 31, 2024. Linda Phayre, mayor’s alternate, term expiring Dec. 31, 2020. Raymond Arroyo, mayor, term expiring Dec. 31, 2020. Councilmember Robert Bicocchi (council liaison).
• Shade Tree Committee. Councilmember Jodi Murphy (council liaison).
• Safety Committee (annual appointments). Darren Blankenbush, safety delegate; Gary Buchheister, member; Sharon Blehl, member; Denise Burns, ambulance member; Kevin Woods, FD member; Ryan Weaver, member; Denise Holmes, member; Sylvia Kokowski, member; Linda Aiello, member; Richard Antonacci, PD member; Jack Sauer, member; Martha Urbiel, member; Richard Woods, alternate safety delegate; Ben Kezmarsky, borough administrator.
• Local Assistance Board. Councilmember Collins (council liaison).
• Heritage Society. Councilmember Dell (council liaison).
• Historic Preservation Commission. Lauren Letizia, Class A, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Camille Sasena, Class A, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Matthew Corso, Class C, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Chris Sandt, Class C, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Cindie Affinito, Class C, unexpired term, expiring Dec. 31, 2021; Charlie Johnston, Alt. #1, term expiring Dec. 31, 2021; Lou Schlielder, Alt. #2, term expiring Dec. 31, 2020; Councilmember Dell (council liaison).
• Zoning Board of Adjustment. Eric Oakes, member, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Peter Grefrath, member, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Alyssa Dawson, member, unexpired term, expiring Dec. 31, 2021; Michael O’Rourke, Alternate #1, term expiring Dec. 31, 2021; Gary Conkling, Alternate #2, term expiring Dec. 31, 2020; Councilmember Bicocchi (council liaison).
• Environmental Advisory Committee. Jeanne Guderian, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Dritan Xhillari, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Councilmember Montana (council liaison).
• Green Team. Councilmember Murphy (council liaison).
• Westwood Municipal Alliance (annual term). Gary Buchheister, expiring Dec. 31, 2020; Councilmember Bicocchi (council liaison).
• Senior Advisory Committee. Mary Cerrati, resident member, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Andra Bell, resident member, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Sally Roberts, Westwood House member, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Marisa Tarateta, borough professional member, unexpired term expiring Dec. 31, 2020; councilmember.
Mayor’s appointments, not subject to council approval
• Recreation Advisory Board. Bermari Roig, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Angelo Pira, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; Eric Dougherty, Alt. #1, term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; council liaison.
• Planning Board. William Martin, Class II, annual expiring Dec. 31, 2020; Anthony Zorovich, Class IV, term expiring Dec. 31, 2023; Lauren Letizia, alternate #1, term expiring Dec. 31, 2021; Councilmember Bicocchi, council liaison.
• Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Gale Herzing and Kathleen Mathis.
Appointment and swearing in of police reserves
Arroyo invited the 2020 police reservists to the dais to be administered their oaths of office by Judge Fazio:
Mayo Credle, Capt. Damon Vincenty, John Brobson, Lt. Shawn Yates, Michael Amoruso, Sgt. Esequiel Cortez, Kenroy Morrison, Sgt. Misael Cortez, Andrew Cavaniola, PO Christopher Horst, liaison officer.
Oaths of offices, ambulance corps officials
Arroyo invited the 2020 Ambulance Corps officials to the dais to be administered their oaths of office by Judge Fazio:
Capt. Robert Simak, Secretary Janet Dunn, 1st Lt. Nicole De Joie, Treasurer Denise Burns, 2nd Lt. Jennifer Hughes, Trustee Chair Craig Hegner, President Ed Casey, Trustee Jeri Bowman, Vice President Jon Andresen, Trustee Matt Foley, Trustee Ruth Ann Lang.
Oaths of office for Fire Department officials
Arroyo invited the 2020 Fire Department officers to the dais to be administered their oaths of office by Judge Fazio:
Fire Chief Kevin Woods, 1st Lt. Scott Stewart, Deputy Chief Michael Griffin Sr., 2nd Lt. Michael Griffin Jr., Senior Capt. Brian Kronewitter, 3rd Lt. Ryan Weaver, Capt. Brian Wiecenski, 4th Lt. Emmanuel Mejia.
Darren Blankenbush was reappointed OEM coordinator. Janet Dunn was appointed deputy OEM coordinator.
Awards were presented for the Volunteer Emergency Services Hall of Fame: Mayor Arroyo made the following presentations: Fred Paff, Volunteer Fire Department; Ed Casey, Ambulance Corps; and Andrew Cavaniola, Police Reserves, in acknowledgement of their induction into the Volunteer Emergency Services Hall of Fame.
Each was nominated by his peers in recognition of outstanding service.
Volunteer of the Year went to ZBA Chair William Martin.
Commended for the James Mawdsley life saving incident from 2019: police officers Sean Roche, Dean McCarroll, Keith Bott, and Brian Donaghy; EMS: Capt. Matt Foley, members Jerry Sheridan, Olivia Beutel, and Alexandra Klukosky.
“It was touch and go, but the prayers of his family and friends, along with expert medical care, and no small amount of sheer stubbornness on Jim’s part, all combined for a miraculous recovery,” Arroyo said.
“Today we’d like to thank those first responders whose quick actions literally saved Jim Mawdsley’s life,” he added.
Invocation was delivered by the Rev. Quentin Sutton. Benediction was delivered by the Rev. Anthony Puca Jr.
For more information, including on the reorganization, 2020 meeting schedules and agendas, and how you can get involved in the public life of this award-winning borough, visit westwoodnj.gov.