Committeewoman Nance Palladino is the new township mayor.
By: Linda Seida
WEST AMWELL Committeewoman Nance Palladino was sworn in as mayor during the township’s reorganization meeting Jan. 1.
Ms. Palladino, who also is a county freeholder, previously served as township mayor in 2002 and as deputy mayor in 2004.
The position of mayor customarily falls to the committee person who is entering the final year of a three-year term.
Thomas J. Molnar, the newest member of the committee, will serve as deputy mayor.
Also during the reorganization meeting, Lora Olsen was sworn in to a three-year term as West Amwell’s new clerk. She replaces retiring clerk Betty Jane Hunt. Like Ms. Hunt, Ms. Olsen previously held the post of deputy clerk.
Mayor Palladino welcomed Ms. Olsen to her new job, saying Ms. Olsen "now has a very hard act to follow."
She said, "Betty Jane was with the township for 32 years. What she can do in her sleep is amazing."
Township Attorney Philip Faherty administered the oath of office to Ms. Olsen. Her sons, Philip, 21, and Jarett, 19, held the Bible where she placed her hand. Ms. Olsen’s mother, Marion Williamson, was seated in the audience.
The committee also appointed Ms. Olsen to several other positions, including one-year terms as assessment search officer, secretary to the township’s Board of Health and affirmative action officer, a two-year term on the local assistance board and a three-year term as registrar of vital statistics.
Donna Chamberlin of Lambertville will take Ms. Olsen’s place as deputy clerk. Her appointment is for one year. Ms. Chamberlin previously was employed by United Water.
"She’s enthusiastic about working with the people in town and with us," said Committeeman Gary Bleacher.
The committee also appointed Ms. Chamberlin to several other posts, including one-year terms as assistant treasurer, deputy secretary to the township’s Board of Health and deputy registrar of vital statistics.
The committee made a number of other appointments. Among them were Eugene Venettone to a four-year term as zoning officer; Bill White to a four-year term as construction code official and building subcode official; John Pattnati to a one-year term as building subcode official and inspector; Edward Novel to a one-year term as deputy building, fire and mechanical code inspector; Catherine Park to a one-year term as tax search officer; and Donna Griffiths to one-year terms as assistant tax collector, police secretary and police matron.
The committee appointed Mary Hoagland to one-year terms as animal control officer, dog registrar, waste security officer, police/emergency building custodian and police matron. Sharon Hartpence will serve a one-year term as secretary to the construction-zoning official. Pat Masterson will serve one year on the local assistance board.
Carolyn Deal and Rob Tomenchuk each will serve two years on the Historic Preservation Committee, and Joan Smith will serve a one-year term on the same committee.
Appointments to the Planning Board include Ms. Palladino, Mr. Molnar and Carmen Perri, each for one year, and Sean Pfeiffer for two years.
Appointments to the Board of Adjustment include Rob Fulper and Brian Fitting, each for four years, and Dave Sansalone for two years.
Joel Coyne and Robert Piel each will serve a three-year term on the Environmental Commission, and John Hoff will serve a two-year term.
Harry Heller will serve a three-year term as emergency management coordinator and a one-year term as 911 coordinator.
The committee appointed Charles M. Case as municipal auditor, Robert J. Clerico as township engineer and Carl M. Herrman and Van Cleef Engineering as land surveyors. Mr. Faherty was appointed municipal prosecutor, and his son, Sean Faherty, was appointed alternate municipal prosecutor. Jeffrey Weinstein was appointed public defender.

