By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
STOCKTON — During the borough’s annual reorganization, Stephen Giocondo took the oath of office for his second four-year term as mayor, and Michael Hagerty was voted Borough Council president for the fifth consecutive year.
Also during the reorganization Jan. 4, Timothy J. Nemeth was sworn in as a first-time councilman for a term of three years. He is a Raritan Township police officer, who won election to the office in November.
Mr. Hagerty was sworn in to his third three-year term as a councilman.
All three men are Democrats.
Mayor Giocondo has spent more than 15 years on the council, not consecutively. In addition to his years as a councilman, he served 12 years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment back when the town had such a board.
The mayor welcomed Mr. Nemeth, who won office as a write-in candidate, and thanked him for his willingness to serve on the council.
The mayor noted that 2010 was a year of teamwork and positive change for the borough, including much-needed improvements to Woolverton Road. In 2011 the town likely will see more of the same as the borough hopes to win another New Jersey Department of Transportation grant to complete upgrades on Old Prallsville Road, he said.
Mr. Hagerty echoed the sense of teamwork and improvement. He called the “whole team,” including the mayor, “awesome.” He said they will continue to be “fiscally responsible” in the challenging economic climate.
Having the right professionals in place has helped set the town on a steady track, including Clerk/Administrator Michele Hovan, as well as financial and engineering personnel, Mr. Hagerty said.
”That has really tightened up the ship so we have true and accurate real-time information,” he said.
The $2 million Bridge Street improvement project, a major upgrade financed by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, is “finally, finally, finally closing out,” Mr. Hagerty said, and it could mean good news for the town. The borough hopes to use any leftover funds for another road project, with the commission’s approval, he said.
The bridge commission awarded the $2 million grant in January 2006.
Although construction has been completed for some time, the borough and the commission now must sign off on the project’s completeness and finish the paperwork. “There is no work other than maintenance,” Mr. Hagerty said. “It’s done and successful and everybody’s happy.”
Unfortunately, the challenging economy and the high cost of repairs have prevented Stockton from fixing up its park, which was devastated by flooding several years ago. The wish list includes reinstalling a pavilion and fixing up the baseball field, Mr. Hagerty said.
Despite the obstacles to fixing up the park, “so far we feel pretty lucky,” Mr. Hagerty said, referring to grant awards the town has won over the past few years.

