Family members flank Freeholder Charles Tomaro, who suffered an injury over the holidays, as Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey swears him into office at JFK’s Johnson Rehabilitation Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAFFE COMMUNICATIONS The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders reorganized for the year with much pomp and circumstance, along with wellwishes for one of their own.
Carol Barrett Bellante and Charles Tomaro were to be sworn in for their third and second terms, respectively, during the annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2 at the Performing Arts Center at Middlesex County College in Edison.
Former Freeholder Director Christopher Rafano administered Barrett Bellante’s oath; however, Tomaro was absent from the seven-member dais. Tomaro was recovering from a leg fracture that resulted from a fall and required five hours of emergency reconstructive surgery.
In remarks that were read on Tomaro’s behalf at the reorganization meeting, the freeholder from Edison said he broke his left femur in three places when he made a misstep while carrying chairs down the basement stairs at a relative’s home on Dec. 26. He quipped that it all would be made better if the New York Giants had won their football game last week, bringing laughter to the crowd.
Later on Jan. 2, Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey administered the oath of office to Tomaro in the dining room at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Edison. Tomaro’s family, friends and dignitaries were on hand for the swearing-in.
He is expected to remain at the facility until Jan. 9, but will require weeks of physical therapy at home or as an outpatient.
Tomaro, a former Edison councilman, thanked everyone for their well-wishes.
“I’m very grateful to my trauma surgeon, physical therapy physician and the remarkable nursing staff at JFK who have made me feel safe, comfortable and well-cared-for,” he said.
During the reorganization meeting, Ronald Rios was nominated to serve another term as freeholder director, and Barrett Bellante was nominated to serve as deputy director.