By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Manville Borough Council held its 82nd annual reorganization meeting on Sunday before a standing-room-only audience in the Manville Municipal Courtroom.
The room was filled with the two new council members and their families, those who were being appointed to positions, residents, firemen and Scout leaders.
Borough Clerk Phil Petrone read the election statement before Judge Robert Foley, municipal court judge, swore in the two new council members, Lou Petzinger and Susan Asher. Mr. Petzinger took the oath of office as he was joined by his mother, Eileen Petzinger, as she held the Bible for her son. Ms. Asher was then sworn in with her niece Courtney Passanante holding the Bible for her.
”I would like to thank everyone for their support and promise to work hard for the best interest of the people of Manville,” Mr. Petzinger said. “There will be many tough decisions to make and I will at all times base my decisions on what is best for the long-term future of Manville.
”We need to pay our bills now and not put the burden on the future,” he said. “Along with these tough decisions will be sacrifices which we must all share. Through hard work, trust and communication, we will get through these difficult times and be stronger in the future.”
Ms. Asher also spoke, and then the two joined the rest of the council members. Councilwoman Sherri Lynn was elected the new Borough Council president.
Mayor Lillian Zuza called the meeting to order and the appointments for the standing committees for 2011 were named. The first person named will serve as chairperson of the committee:
Finance — Councilman Szabo, Councilman Petzinger, Council President Lynn; Policy, Planning, Personnel — Council President Lynn, Councilman Szabo, Councilman Fischer; Public Works — Councilman Onderko, Councilman Fischer, Councilman Petzinger; Public Safety — Fire, Police, Rescue, Emergency Management — Councilwoman Asher, Council President Lynn, Councilman Onderko; Public Buildings and Grounds — Councilman Fischer, Councilman Onderko, Councilwoman Asher; Progress and Development — Councilman Petzinger, Councilwoman Asher and Councilman Szabo.
Mayor Zuza also anounced the professional appointments. These positions are one-year terms expiring Dec. 31. Appointments include Borough Attorney: Francis P. Linnus; borough Auditor: Suplee, Clooney & Co.; Bond Counsel: Rogut McCarthy L.L.C., Tax Attorney: Martin Allen, Esq., COAH litigation attorney: Jeffrey B. Lehrer, Esq. and Steven A. Kunzman, Esq.; Redevelopment attorney: William T. Cooper, Esq.; Utility Engineer: Lee T. Purcell Associates; Environmental Engineer: T & M Associates; Special Project Engineer: Grotto Engineering; Architect: Cornerstone Architectural Group LLC; Borough Surveyor: Swanson, Halsey & Associates; Section 8 Housing Admin.: Housing & Community Development Services Inc.; RCA Housing Rehab.: Housing & Community Development Services, Inc.; Borough Public Defender: Arthur Skaar, Esq.; Alternate Public Defender: Joseph Cioce, Esq.; Borough Prosecutor: Matthew C. Dorsi, Esq.; and Alternate Prosecutor: Kip Bateman, Esq. or Stephen Davis, Esq.
Judge Foley also swore in the three fire department chiefs. Assistant Fire Chief John Bentz was sworn in first, then Deputy Fire Chief Dave Mroz followed by Fire Chief Marc Pruiksma. Christine Pruiksma pinned the chief’s badge on him.
The Tax Collector and Borough Tax Assessment Search Officer Lisa Gerickont was appointed and Mayor Zuza appointed the following:
To the Planning Board — John Bentz, Don Quick, Ray Star, Mike Impellizeri; Library Board of Trustees — Sandy Fillipini and Sandra Scrape; Office of Emergency Management — Deputy Directors James Paterno and John Yanko; Zoning Board of Adjustment — members Kathy Malinowski, Dave Rubin, Tim Hepworth, and alternate Nancy Otrimski; Recreation Committee — members Tracey Rizk, and Paul Whitenight; Board of Health — members Lynn McDaniel, Ray Star, Richard Kowalski, and Council President Sherri Lynn; county appointments included Somerset Regional Animal Shelter member Kathy Healey , Solid Waste Advisory Committee member Phil Petrone, and Municipal Alliance/Youth Services Coordinator Stephanie Cornelson.

