By: Concetta Benuzzi Volpe
WEST AMWELL Reorganization, reappointments and resolutions topped the township’s agenda for the new year at its meeting New Year’s Day.
The first order of business was to elect Peter Buchsbaum mayor for 2003.
The mayor’s first official act was to call for the election of the deputy mayor Gary Bleacher before formally announcing his short list of committee appointments that included Carrie Corboy, John Dale and Bill Kiriluk.
Ms. Corboy will serve on the Sanitation and Recycling Committee and the Hunterdon County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Mr. Dale will serve on the Environmental Commission. Mr. Kiriluk will serve as township liaison to the Hunterdon County Agricultural Development Board.
Senior Citizen Coordinator Gloria Mangan resigned in 2002, and Randall Phillips, who served as deputy coordinator, will fill the position. Lillian Momper was tapped to serve as deputy coordinator.
Last year’s mayor, Nance Palladino, was sworn to serve a fourth term on the Township Committee.
Lambertville resident Richard Cushing was sworn to serve as the township’s new Municipal Court judge, replacing recently retired Judge Jeffrey Martin.
Mayor Buchsbaum will serve as police and public safety director as well as township liaison to the West Amwell Elementary School, the Open Space Advisory Committee and the Country Fair Committee and as informal liaison for Connaught Hill.
Mr. Bleacher will serve on the Planning Board while Ms. Palladino rotates from that position to serving on the Sanitation and Recycling Committee.
Mr. Bleacher will serve on the Parks and Recreation Committee and as township liaison to South Hunterdon Regional High School and the Road Department.
Ms. Palladino will continue to serve on the Truck Task Force and as township liaison to the Historic Preservation Committee.
Six members of the Mount Airy 4-H Dairy Club opened the meeting by leading a salute to the flag after which Mayor Buchsbaum took a moment to praise West Amwell citizens and commend Ms. Palladino.
"It’s amazing," he said. "Everybody in this town has two jobs, yet when asked to serve, the response is positive in spite of time conflicts or other issues. It’s very gratifying to see such a response so I would like to thank everyone who has agreed to continue to serve as well as those who are just beginning."
While commending the former mayor, Mr. Buchsbaum noted Ms. Palladino would be a tough act to follow in terms of the effort and energy with which she served. Mr. Buchsbaum anticipates providing similar exuberance.
He applauded Ms. Palladino for instituting the practice of combined Planning Board and Township Committee meetings and has vowed to continue the practice.
During her tenure as mayor, Ms. Palladino scheduled special meetings so the township trio could assist the Planning Board in structuring West Amwell’s Master Plan.

