By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The council welcomed a new officer to the ranks Monday with the swearing in of Officer Joseph Ianonne Jr.
Mayor Janice Mironov administered the oath of office to Patrolman Ianonne with his parents by his side.
”Our new officer, Joseph Ianonne Jr., joins (the) East Windsor Police Department after having attended the program and graduating from the Monmouth County Police Academy in May 2012,” said the mayor before the ceremony.
According to Mayor Mironov, Patrolman Ianonne graduated from Old Bridge High School and attended Brookdale Community College in pursuit of an accounting degree.
”He will join our uniform services platoon as a probationary police officer,” Mayor Mironov said.
Chief James Monahan took a few moments to welcome the new officer, who was filling a vacancy in the department.
”It is always special for us when we add somebody to the force,” Chief Monahan said. “There are also other practical implications when we add somebody. There are training opportunities with some of our more experienced officers so there is some mentoring that occurs, and it really helps to develop their career as an officer.”
He added, “We welcome him and look forward to those opportunities. Congratulations, Joseph. I wish you all the best in your career with us.”
Mayor Mironov followed up with additional comments on the department being mentors and having “great leadership.”
”Joseph certainly has lots of great people to mentor him and to learn from,” Mayor Mironov said. “We have an outstanding department. I have said it many times, and I mean it very deeply. We have great leadership with Chief Monahan and other officers and a great patrol force here in our communities.”
Mayor Mironov thanked the Police Department for attending the ceremony and showing “support.”
”Thank you to all of you for coming tonight, very kind,” Mayor Mironov said. “It shows a real support of the department and to the new officer and our chief. I appreciate that very much.”
”Congratulations,” Mayor Mironov said as she shook Patrolman Ianonne’s hand and his parents. “We look forward to him coming on board.”
In other news, Mayor Mironov updated the public on the closure and detour at the intersection of route 33 and 133, which originally was scheduled for Sept. 24 and has been rescheduled to start around Nov. 5 according to a notice she received from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
She also reminded everyone that an area citizen taxpayers group, GET R Money Back, led by Helene Henkel, was to host a public forum at 7 last night at the East Windsor Senior Center to discuss the impact on local property taxes of the state diversion of energy tax receipts — utilities taxes — from municipalities.
Mayor Mironov, Mayor Steven Kirson of Hightstown Borough and Mayor Anthony Fiore of Middletown Township planned to attend.
”As you all know, this is one of the means by which property tax relief could be immediately provided in our state if we had the support of all elected officials at the state level,” Mayor Mironov said.
Mayor Mironov said the Assembly and the Senate on a bipartisan vote did pass a bill to restore energy tax receipts, but it was vetoed by Gov. Christie.
”We encourage people to go back to their legislators and oppose the governor and encourage him to get with the program and provide property tax relief to our struggling residents,” Mayor Mironov said.
”I think it is very appropriate that a meeting like this takes place in our town since the mayor spearheaded this to rightfully get back money that belongs to the municipalities,” Councilman Alan Rosenberg said.

