Officials are gearing up for the annual reorganization meetings next month
By: Scott Morgan
Most of the faces of northern Burlington County’s 2006 municipal governments will be familiar ones. In the seven towns that held local elections last month, four will see all returning incumbents, and in the three towns with new faces, none change the existing party balance.
Faces new and familiar are, however, gearing up for the annual reorganization meetings next month. In Bordentown Township, Republicans Bruce Hill, currently serving as mayor, and Robert Delaney are slated to be sworn into their new three-year terms at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 at the Municipal Building on Municipal Drive. Mr. Delaney replaces outgoing Committeeman Jerry Boyer.
In Chesterfield, Republican Larry Durr, who won a narrow victory in the Township Committee race against Democrat Robert Rupinski, will return to his committee seat for another three-year term next month. Chesterfield’s reorganization meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 3 at the Municipal Building on Bordentown-Chesterfield Road.
Fieldsboro will welcome back Councilmen Harry Brown and David Hansell as well as Mayor Edward Tyler, a trio of Democrats who ran unopposed in November. Mr. Brown and Mr. Hansell are scheduled to assume three-year Borough Council terms while Mayor Tyler is slated to assume a four-year term, after the swearing-in on Jan. 11. The reorganization meeting is set for 7 p.m. in Borough Hall on Washington Street.
In Florence, three incumbents Republicans Jerry Sandusky and Bruce Garganio and Democrat Frank Baldorossi will return to the Township Council next month. Each beat first-time rivals to reclaim their council seats on Nov. 8 and are set to be sworn in during the reorganization meeting at the Municipal Building on Broad Street at 7 p.m. Jan. 4.
Mansfield will welcome back Republican Art Puglia, currently serving as mayor, who, along with newcomer and party mate Kenneth Denti, won three-year terms in an uncontested race last month. Mr. Denti will replace outgoing Committeeman Bruce Waite, who opted not to run again. The reorganization meeting is slated for Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building on East Main Street.
In New Hanover, two Republican newcomers, George Ivins Jr. and Paul Peterla won two three-year Township Committee seats over Democrat Steven Schenker last month. Mr. Ivins and Mr. Peterla will now fill the seats currently held by Republican Township Committeemen William Roscoe and William S. Kaytes. The reorganization meeting is scheduled for Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Municipal Building on Hockamick Road.
North Hanover also will hold its reorganization meeting on Jan. 1. At noon, Committeeman Lou DeLorenzo is scheduled to be sworn in during the ceremony at the Municipal Building on Schoolhouse Road. Mr. DeLorenzo, a Republican, earned another three-year term when he defeated Democrat John Kocubinski on Nov. 8.

