By Charley Falkenburg, Special Writer
FLORENCE — As expected, the same faces will be returning to their elected seats for another year.
The Florence Council briefly reunited Jan. 2 to square away its annual appointment procedures.
Although it may be a fresh year, the council that gathered on the dais was the exact same one that sat there only a month ago.
Jerry Sandusky was re-elected council president, and David Woolston was re-elected as his vice president.
Mr. Sandusky was honored as his colleagues re-elected him as council president for a second consecutive year. This is his 32nd year on council and his 20th year representing the 3rd Ward.
”Sometimes there are difficult times, and sometimes there are good times, and whatever happens, we will be here for the people of Florence Township — as we always are,” Mr. Sandusky said.
As a council president who has been around the block before, Mr. Sandusky welcomed the responsibility, citing it allows him to do what he loves — help all kinds of people. It also pays him approximately $600, which is a little more than what council members receive.
Last year, Mr. Sandusky donated his money to the Florence Methodist food bank, and this year he will be donating his share again to another local organization. He said he would decide by June or July, but is leaning toward the newly formed Florence Historical Society or the Florence Garden Club.
Each council member was reappointed as liaison to his respective board for another one-year term. Mr. Woolston rejoined the Recreation Board, and council members Frank Baldorossi, Ted Lovenduski and Paul Ostrander each returned to the Economic Development, Planning Board and Environmental Commission respectively.
The council appointed John Maley Jr. as township auditor and William Bott to a four-year term on the Zoning Board. It also appointed Anant Patel as an alternative on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a two-year term.
The elected officials unanimously confirmed all of Mayor Craig Wilkie’s professional appointments, which included Capehart Scatchard as township solicitor and bond counsel, Maser Consulting as township engineer, Environmental Resolutions Inc. as township planner, Andrew Smith as town prosecutor, James Fattorini as public defender and Christopher Baxter as conflict public defender.
Mayor Wilkie also appointed a slew of individuals to various boards and commissions. Joy Weiler, Richard Brook, Thomas Layou, Randy Belknap and Tim Lutz were appointed to the Americans with Disabilities Commission, and Paul Ordog was appointed to the Delaware Estuary Program.
Mr. Lutz, Wayne Morris and Thomas McCue were appointed to the Planning Board. Municipal Assistant Administrator Thomas Sahol was appointed as a mayoral representative for the Municipal Alliance as well as the Community Development Block Grant Commission.
A few others were appointed to the Environmental and Shade Tree Commissions.
Looking back at 2012, Mayor Wilkie deemed it a great year with a lot of dedication from the residents and town professionals.
He recalled 2012 as a busy a year for the township: Florence celebrated its 140th birthday, and Gov. Chris Christie made a visit in March, Subaru of America designated its new home at NFI Park at Florence Crossings, and Florence High student Lexi Smith set a national record after scoring her 175th field hockey goal in October.
Along with the good, the mayor mentioned some of the town’s hardships such as the Easter fire that killed a child and her grandmother, the May tractor-trailer explosion that killed a Florence fireman and Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast.
However, with 2012 behind them, the mayor and council are eager to see what the New Year will bring.
”I’m looking forward to 2013,” Mayor Wilkie said. “I realize that our budget is a priority, and we must watch what we do because it will affect us in 2014 and 2015.”
Mr. Sandusky agreed the township budget is always a challenge and emphasized the ultimate goal is to maintain a steady tax rate for the residents.
Last year, taxes increased by three pennies, and Mr. Sandusky is hoping that won’t happen again for 2013.
Also, the new year is ushering in various new developments for the Florence community, starting as early as this Saturday. At 10 a.m. Jan. 12, the new Dunkin Donuts on Route 130 will have its official grand opening.
Mr. Sandusky was particularly excited about the Subaru dealership construction and hoped to see the Duffy Elementary School start getting redeveloped.
Although the year just began, Mr. Sandusky already has his mind on campaigns. His term is up this year, and he said when the time comes, he will be seeking re-election. However, if elected, he is content with being a regular council member.
”Everything is leaning toward re-election, but not council presidency,” he added. “Other council members may like to be council president, and I would be more than willing to yield to them.”

