Township Councilwoman Cathleen Lewis was tapped to serve a two-year term as mayor, and two veteran Township Council members were sworn into office at the council’s reorganization meeting New Year’s Day.
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Township Councilwoman Cathleen Lewis was tapped to serve a two-year term as mayor, and two veteran Township Council members were sworn into office at the council’s reorganization meeting New Year’s Day.
Ms. Lewis, a Democrat, was voted unanimously to serve in the ceremonial post of mayor.
Meanwhile, Democrats Jim Kownacki and Stephen Brame were sworn into office for four-year terms. Mr. Kownacki is serving his second term and Mr. Brame is serving his first full term. He was chosen to serve on the council last year to fill out an unexpired term.
Mr. Brame was sworn into office by state Sen. Shirley K. Turner, with his wife, Joan Brame, at his side.
Mr. Kownacki was sworn into office by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, as his wife, Phyllis Kownacki, and daughter, Traci Mickus, stood next to him.
Then, Councilman Michael Powers nominated Ms. Lewis to serve as mayor. He pointed to her prior involvement in the community, including her service on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a stint as the president of the Lawrence Township Democratic Club.
U.S. Rep. Rush Holt administered the oath of office to Ms. Lewis. At her side were her husband, Paul Penna, and daughters Abigail Lewis-Penna and Bridget Lewis-Penna.
And in one of her first official actions, Mayor Lewis administered the oath of office to two of the three fire chiefs — Mark Lenarski of the Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co., and R. J. Laird of the Lawrence Road Fire Co. Fire Chief Gary Wasko of the Lawrenceville Fire Co. was absent.
In her remarks, Mayor Lewis thanked her family for their support, including her parents and her grandmother. She also thanked her husband and their daughters for their patience for all of the meetings and events that will crop up in the next two years as she serves as mayor.
Mayor Lewis praised former Mayor Kownacki for his leadership in 2012 and 2013 during an especially difficult period. She noted that the 2013 municipal budget was $1 million less than the 2012 spending plan.
Township employees “(rose) to the occasion” by finding ways to provide services, despite budget cuts, she said, adding that township residents were also helpful when the council asked for their input.
”Each deserves our thanks, and now we must rise to the next challenge to rediscover all our township has to offer. I ask everyone here today — and all our residents — to join me in committing to find at least one new way to participate in our community this year, whether it is to sign up your child for a Recreation Department program” or another activity, the mayor said.
Mayor Lewis encouraged residents to volunteer for one of the many advisory boards and committees. She also called on each of the boards and committees to deliver a report to Township Council about their activities and goals. The volunteers “do wonderful work” and their efforts should be highlighted, she said.
But the municipal budget continues to loom over the township, the mayor said.
”Over the last two years, we have highlighted some of the inequities in the current system. I will continue to carry this message to Trenton. As always, we should continue to look for ways to reduce costs,” Mayor Lewis said, handing down the challenge to municipal government employees and officials, as well as residents.
Mayor Lewis also touched on the township reassessment, which was completed in 2013. Property owners will begin receiving the new assessments, which may cause them some concern. Township officials must work to open the lines of communication during this process, she said.
Each of her goals, Mayor Lewis said, has a common thread — finding ways to communicate with residents “not just on the serious issues facing us, but in everything we do.”
”As I wrote this speech, my 2-year-old daughter asked me what I was doing. When I told her that I was writing my speech for when I got to be mayor, she replied, ‘I can be a mayor, too.’ So I asked her what a mayor does, and her response was, ‘She laughs and plays,’” Mayor Lewis said
Abigail, meanwhile, slipped from her father’s grasp and made a beeline for her mother. Without skipping a beat, Mayor Lewis placed Abigail on her lap as she sat behind the dais and continued to deliver her remarks.
”Toddlers have a way of reminding us of the bright side, and we need to remind the residents of the bright side of Lawrence Township — our great programs, from our soccer teams to our senior center to our health services. We do so much for our residents,” she said.
”So while we have serious work to do here — from finding cost savings to keep our township on the cutting edge — I want to find time to laugh and play with our residents to celebrate our successes and join in the fun. I hope you’ll join me,” Mayor Lewis said.
Turning to the traditional reorganization matters, Township Council appointed attorney David Roskos of the Trenton law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott to be the municipal attorney, and for Mr. Roskos to represent Lawrence Township in tax court cases.
Township Council also appointed attorney Reed Gusciora to serve as the Lawrence Township Municipal Court prosecutor, and Eugene Elias of the auditing firm of Mercadien to be the municipal auditor.