Grbelja, Dancer to be named mayors in Millstone, Plumsted

Local governing bodies set to reorganize next week (Dec. 29)

By: Lauren Burgoon and Marisa Maldonado
   Town governments have the chance for a fresh start with reorganization meetings next week. Just how fresh a start it will be varies with each municipality.
   Among the three municipalities choosing new mayors, Millstone and Upper Freehold township committees likely will appoint someone new to satisfy the one-year position, while Plumsted’s leadership is expected to remain unchanged.
Millstone
   The 2006 Township Committee — which, for the first time in over 30 years, is comprised of five Republicans — already has picked its mayor for next year.
   Nancy Grbelja, whose 2004 term as mayor marked the first time Millstone was led by a woman, will take over the reins from Elias Abilheira. Bob Kinsey will serve as deputy mayor.
   "The number of hours you’re required to put in as mayor makes it hard for anyone with a full-time career to be mayor for more than a year," Mr. Abilheira said.
   The coming year will be the first he is not mayor or deputy mayor since joining the committee in 2004.
   In looking at the year head, Mr. Abilheira said, "Everyone is happy. For the first time in years we have five people who work well together."
   Two of those people will be Ray Dilfanian and Steve Sico, who were elected in November. Their arrival means Millstone’s leaders are all relative newcomers with a combined committee tenure of only five years. Mr. Abilheira and Ms. Grbelja took office in 2004, while Mr. Kinsey became a committeeman in January.
   The two newcomers have been attending township meetings and executive sessions to prepare for their new role.
   Millstone’s reorganization is Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.
Upper Freehold
   The Township Committee traditionally rotates the one-year position of mayor between its five committeemen, meaning the committee likely could choose a new leader at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting. The current mayor is Sal Diecidue.
   Of the four returning committeemen, Stephen Alexander and Stephen Fleischacker have not yet served as mayor.
   Newcomer David Reed will be sworn at the reorganization, replacing longtime committeeman David Horsnall, who did not seek re-election this year. Mr. Horsnall, who served four terms, cited a desire to spend more time with his wife and pursue hobbies that include restoring firetrucks and playing the banjo.
   Mr. Horsnall’s retirement leaves only one committeeman with more than one term of experience — Bill Miscoski, who is in the middle of his fifth term. Mayor Diecidue and Mr. Alexander begin the final year of their three-year terms next month and Mr. Fleischacker begins the second year of his three-year term.
   Mr. Reed, who was unavailable for comment, has cited putting more farmland into preservation programs as his priority as a committeeman.
   The reorganization meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.
Plumsted
   Ron Dancer, the township’s mayor for the last 16 years, is expected to be re-appointment to the position at the Township Committee’s reorganization meeting Tuesday.
   Mr. Dancer, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Mitch Geier in November to retain his seat on the governing body, leaving Plumsted with a one-party committee.
   Deputy Mayor Joseph Przywara said Mr. Dancer, who also serves as an Assemblyman for the 30th Legislative District, has secured numerous state grants that have benefited the township.
   "His heart is in the community," Mr. Przywara said. "He’s knowledgeable in multiple levels of government."
   Mr. Przywara added that he expects to be re-elected as deputy mayor for the 10th year in a row.
   Plumsted’s reorganization will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, which will be followed by a Planning Board meeting one hour later.
Allentown
   Two returning Borough Council members — Republicans Michael Schumacher and Margaret Armenante — will be sworn in at the council’s reorganization meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at borough hall.
   Mr. Schumacher will begin his fifth term and Ms. Armenante will begin her third term. Both ran unchallenged this year for their seats on the governing body. The council remains all Republican.