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ALLENTOWN: Council members sworn in

With two new members on the governing body, the Allentown reorganization meeting Jan. 6 had a different look and feel than council meetings in recent memory.

by David Kilby, Special Writer
ALLENTOWN — With two new members on the governing body, the Allentown reorganization meeting Jan. 6 had a different look and feel than council meetings in recent memory.
   After Councilman Robert Schmitt and Councilwoman Madeline Gavin were sworn in they got right to business with the rest of the council, reassigning appointments and nominating council president for the year.
   The vote for council president was split with Councilwomen Angela Anthony and Madeline Gavin, as well as Councilman Robert Schmitt voting for Councilwoman Anthony while Councilmen Michael Schumacher and Daniel Wimer and Councilwoman Margaret Rose voted to re-elect Council President Schumacher.
   To break the tie, Mayor Stuart Fierstein voted for Councilman Schumacher.
   The council also voted on a list of 39 appointments under the consent agenda, however before the roll call, Corky Danch, owner of the Old Mill, said he felt some of the items on the consent agenda should be discussed in further detail.
   ”Two people on council have not weighed in on these resolutions,” he said of Councilwoman Gavin, and Councilman Schmitt.
   Julie Martin, borough clerk, explained that council members can request items to be taken off the consent agenda to be discussed further.
   Subsequently, Councilwoman Gavin did just that and requested the first few agenda items to be taken off with fellow newcomer Councilman Schmitt seconding her motion.
   She then questioned the process of appointing Dilworth Paxson for bond counsel services, Turp, Coates, Essel & Driggers for legal services and Hatch Mott MacDonald for engineering services.
   ”What process was used (to appoint these firms) other than we’ve had them for several years,” she asked.
   Mayor Fierstein said there are too many things the firms are in the process of doing for the borough, and it would not be prudent to make changes at this time.
   Regarding searching for a new engineering firm, he added that any new firm brought in would have to do its own survey work and, in effect, start over in the projects Hatch Mott MacDonald is in the process of completing in the borough.
   Nonetheless, Councilman Schmitt said “I’m not sure I have complete faith in this (engineering) firm.”
   Mayor Fierstein explained that it’s important for the municipal government to bring Councilman Schmitt and Councilwoman Gavin “up to speed” with certain issues because there’s been “a lot of misinformation circulating.”
   Attempts to reach the mayor for further comment after the meeting were unsuccessful at press time.
   Councilman Schmitt abstained from the resolution to appoint Hatch Mott MacDonald as the borough’s firm.
   After adjournment of the reorganization meeting, Mr. Schmitt and Ms. Gavin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sit on the council.
   ”I feel I have the entire town behind me,” Councilman Schmitt said, “whether they voted for me or not. It’s such an honor to be here doing the people’s business.”
   He said he looks forward to being a “dynamic council member” and honor those who voted for him and those who didn’t.
   He also gave special recognition to the borough’s volunteers, especially the Garden Club, Knights of Columbus and Hope Fire Company “who give of themselves for the town,” and also thanked the people in Borough Hall for their support and the police department for being constructive.
   ”I hope I work with the mayor and present council to improve things in Allentown as a team,” Ms. Gavin said.
   Among many other appointments that he made, the mayor appointed the council members to different liaison positions.
   Council President Schumacher was appointed liaison to the Board of Recreation.
   Councilwoman Gavin and Councilman Schmitt were appointed liaisons to the Upper Freehold Board of Education. Councilwoman Gavin was also appointed liaison to the library, while Councilman Schmitt was appointed liaison to the Economic Development Commission.
   Mayor Fierstein, Councilman Wimer and Councilwoman Margaret Rose were appointed liaisons to Fire and First Aid.
   Councilwoman Rose was also appointed liaison to the municipal court and the Historic Preservation Review Commission.
   Councilman Wimer was also appointed liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Commission, and Ad-Hoc Committee.
   Councilwoman Anthony was appointed liaison to the recycling coordinator and Drug Alliance.