January 1 was not only the start of a new decade; it also was the day that Dunellen got its first new mayor of the millennium.
The Dunellen Borough Reorganization Meeting was started as tradition dictates, at noon. The municipal courtroom was filled to capacity.
The adjournment of the outgoing council was called by 2019 Council President Jason F. Cilento. Moments later, Cilento changed his title to Mayor, as he was sworn into office by Municipal Judge Katherine Howes. He replaced Robert Seader, who had been Dunellen’s mayor for 21 years before not seeking an additional term.
Trina Rios and Daniel Cole Sigmon who ran on Cilento’s ticket were also sworn in as council members, filling the seats left open by Joe Petracca who had stepped down from council after 15 years, and Cilento. With the addition of Rios, four of the six council seats are now held by female residents.
After 2020 Dunellen council was brought to order, John E. Bruder was reappointed as borough attorney and sworn in. Kenneth Bayer, now the only council member with more than one term under his belt, was selected unanimously by the council to be 2020 Council President.
Cilento then announced his appointments to Standing and Special Committees. These appointments did not require the council’s approval. Although several were merely reappointments, some were appointments of Dunellen residents who had not been previously involved.
In late 2019, after having been elected mayor, Cilento requested that a volunteer form be added to the town website so that any residents interested in becoming more involved with the town could apply for open committee positions. Committee members whose terms were expiring were required to fill out the form to formally express interest in continuing their volunteer service. The form will continue to be a part of the website so that all Dunellen residents have the opportunity to be considered for open positions and become attached to committees as non-voting volunteers during the interim.
Standing and Special Committees
- Dunellen Shade Tree Commission: Erica Grun and Sue Butterworth
- Dunellen Arts and Culture Commission: Hal Vandermark and MaryAnn Myers
- Dunellen Recreation Commission: Timothy Howard and James Duhamel (Alternate)
- Planning Board: Michael Mullin, Kenneth Bayer, Thomas D’Amico, Adam Gordon, Theresa Ratner, Julie Grof (Alternate)
- Dunellen Library Board of Trustees: Brandii Reid
- Dunellen Downtown Management Organization: William Robins, Kenneth Baudendistel, Trina Rios, Adam Gordon, Margaret Lockwood, Heidi Heleniak, Tremayne Reid, Anthony Cruz, Nicole Goodliung and Lauren Meyers
- Dunellen Parking Authority: Robert Seader, Jr.
Following the committee appointments, the council officially voted (unanimously) for several resolutions including borough appointments. These appointments were:
- William M. Robins as Public Agency Compliance Officer
- Robert Spengler as Dunellen Public Defender
- Daniel Frascella as Alternate Public Defender
- Timothy Arch as Dunellen Municipal Prosecutor
- Thomas J. Lanza, Jr. as Dunellen Municipal Prosecutor
- Hodulik and Morrison as Municipal Auditor for Municipal CY2019 Audit and the Sewer Utility CY 2019 Audit
- McManimon, Scotland, Baumann as Bond Counsel
- CME Associates as Municipal Engineer
- Murphy McKeon as Special Counsel for Sewer Utility matters
- Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf as Special Counsel for Redevelopment
- NW Financial Group, LLC., as Special Financial Consultants for Redevelopment
- Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy as Special Counsel for Labor Law matters
- Homer Mosley as Office of Emergency Management Coordinator
Cilento then gave his first address to his constituents, which focused not only on what he hoped would be accomplished in the coming years but also on thanking his family, friends, supporters and members of the Dunellen government.
Priorities mentioned in the address:
- Continue the revitalization of the downtown
- Improve communication with residents and business owners
- Investigate shared service opportunities and other economic development opportunities
- Create a Mayor’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force
He also highlighted major infrastructure projects coming in 2020:
- Demolition in the old Art Color complex is nearing completion. Sewer pipes for the Dunellen Stations development will be installed. Building could begin soon after.
- Repaving Grove Street and upgrades to the area’s sanitary sewer system (including Gertrude Terrace)
- Repaving South Madison Avenue (scheduled for summer) and Lincoln Avenue
Completion of Columbia Park’s new turf field, running track and playground
Cilento presented the 2019 Dunellen Volunteer Citizen of the Year to Margaret Dornbierer who has been active in many local organizations. Much of her volunteering has been geared toward helping Dunellen children.
Retired Dunellen librarians Rosemary Deene and Elizabeth Hixon were presented with Dunellen Lifetime Achievement Awards by Robins who had previously worked with them when he was library director.
(Complete speech: http://www.dunellen411.com/2020/01/10/mayor-cilentos-first-annual-address)