Borough cracks time capsule at meeting
Police, fire and first aid responders named
Citizens of the Year
MATAWAN — To kick off the new year, borough and school district officials opened up a time capsule found in the cornerstone of the old Matawan High School during last week’s reorganization meeting.
To officially crack open the time capsule, which was dated 1923, Mayor Robert Clifton was joined by Matawan Regional Board of Education President Gerry Donaghue.
Clifton and Donaghue removed the items from the capsule and showed them to the crowd one by one. Inside the capsule were copies of the old Matawan Journal newspaper, old coins, old photos, and what appeared to be a set of architectural plans for the former Broad Street Matawan High School building.
The time capsule and its contents will be turned over to the Matawan Historical Society for review.
In addition to the joint effort opening the time capsule, borough and school officials pledged to continue a spirit of cooperation in the new year.
"May we work together to build a better Matawan," Donaghue told the council.
The Township Council formally reorganized with Councilwoman Debra Buragina and Councilman Paul Buccellato taking the oath of office.
Both Buragina and Buccellato will be serving their first full terms on the council. Each served pieces of unexpired terms over the past two years.
Buragina was also voted council president for 2002, a post which was held by Councilwoman Sharon Roselli last year.
The mayor and council also chose the Citizen of the Year for 2001.
In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mayor Robert Clifton told the crowd assembled that the borough had no other choice than to honor the excellent job done year round by the borough’s police department, fire department, and first aid squad.
"They are here every day doing a sometimes thankless job, and we’re all glad they are here," said Clifton, who presented each department’s chief with a plaque.
In other business, the mayor made appointments to the unified Planning and Zoning Board.
Robert Montfort was appointed as a Class II member to serve a one-year term, while Buccellato was appointed to a one-year term as a Class III member. Kevin Groode was appointed as a Class IV member to a one-year term, and Lois Nicora was appointed to a two-year term as an alternate.
In addition, Borough Administrator Joseph P. Leo was appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council to serve another one-year term.
Brian J. Mullen was appointed for another year in the post of municipal attorney, while Robert W. Bucco was appointed to another term as borough engineer.