Fratinardo remains vice president
By:Eve Collins
FLORENCE The Township Council decided to keep John Hofflinger as its president and John Fratinardo as vice president at its Jan. 8 reorganization meeting. Unlike other local reorganization meetings, no new members were sworn in.
Mr. Hofflinger received a nomination and a second, but Councilman Bruce Garganio then nominated Jerry Sandusky for president, saying he thought the council had decided to alternate presidents from year to year.
Mr. Hofflinger was elected by a 3-2 vote. Democrats Mr. Hofflinger, Mr. Fratinardo and Frank Baldorossi voted for Mr. Hofflinger. Republicans Mr. Sandusky and Mr. Garganio voted for Mr. Sandusky.
Mr. Fratinardo then was selected as liaison for the Planning Board and Mr. Sandusky for the Board of Assistance.
Mr. Baldorossi was selected liaison to the Environmental Commission, and Mr. Garganio for the Recreation Committee.
Mr. Baldorossi also was selected as liaison for the Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Redevelopment.
The committee kept William Kearns Jr. of Kearns, Vassallo, Guest and Kearns as the township’s solicitor, and Dante Guzzi of Dante Guzzi Engineering Associates as the township’s engineer.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for former Committeeman Emmet Spurlock, who died Jan. 5 at the age of 92. Mr. Spurlock served on the committee from 1980 to 1983.
In closing, Mr. Garganio expressed his desire to spend more time discussing the refurbishing of the defunct Roebling Mill site.
"As a group we have to sit down and figure out a way to get it done," he said. "It’s the largest available space in town and it’s our tax base."
Mr. Sandusky, who is starting his 22nd year on the committee, said he hoped this would be a good, prosperous year for the township and again honored Mr. Spurlock, saying he was "a good man who lived a good life."
Mr. Hofflinger, who is starting his 16th year on the committee, said it was good to see the Democrats in a majority on the committee, "But that doesn’t really mean anything," he said. "We all work together as a team."

