By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
HOWELL – Democrat Theresa Berger and Republican Evelyn O’Donnell have joined the Howell Township Council as mayor and councilwoman, respectively.
Howell’s governing body held its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 at the municipal building. Berger was sworn in to begin serving a four-year term as mayor by state Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) and O’Donnell was sworn in to begin serving a four-year term as a councilwoman by Republican Monmouth County Freeholder Serena DiMaso.
Under Howell’s form of government, the mayor is directly elected by voters, but serves on the five-person council. Berger and O’Donnell are joined on the council by Republicans Robert Nicastro, Robert Walsh and Pauline Smith.
In her remarks to those in attendance, Berger said, “I am taking on this position from our previous mayor (William Gotto) who did a wonderful job of running the town. I look forward to working with my council people here on the dais. I am sure we will make the best decisions for our town. I would like to thank everyone in Howell who helped me win this election and I want to thank my family for letting me do this.”
In her remarks on reorganization day, O’Donnell said, “I would be remiss if I did not thank my husband, Tom, for all the support he has given me through all the decades of my public service. You are a blessing, you are a tremendous support system. I am sure that with my fellow council members, Howell is in good hands.”
Nicastro was elected to serve as deputy mayor for 2017. Walsh, Smith, O’Donnell and Nicastro voted yes on a motion to name Nicastro deputy mayor. Berger voted no.
Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon administered the deputy mayor’s oath of office to Nicastro.
In appointments announced during the meeting, the council:
• Appointed Stan Slachetka of T&M Associates as township planner
• Appointed Maser Consulting, T&M Associates, CME Associates, French & Parrello Associates, Najarian Associates, Remington Vernick & Vena Engineers and Boro Engineering as consulting engineers
• Appointed Maser Consulting, CME Associates and T&M Associates as utility engineers
Berger and Nicastro will serve on the Planning Board as representatives of the governing body. Police Chief Andrew Kudrick will serve a one-year term on the board as a mayoral appointment. Nick Huszar was appointed to a three-year term, Brian Tannenhaus was appointed to a four-year term, Gotto was appointed to a four-year term and Tom Boyle was appointed to a two-year term as an alternate.
The appointments of Huszar, Tannenhaus and Boyle were approved with 5-0 votes by the mayor and council members. Gotto’s appointment to the Planning Board was approved with a 4-1 vote as Nicastro, Walsh, Smith and O’Donnell voted yes and Berger voted no.
Wendel Nanson, Tom O’Donnell and Rich Mertens were each appointed to a four-year term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and John Turk was appointed to a two-year term as an alternate on the board.
The appointments of Nanson, Mertens and Turk were approved with 5-0 votes by the mayor and council members. Tom O’Donnell’s appointment to the zoning board was approved with a 3-1 vote as Nicastro, Smith and Walsh voted yes, Berger voted no and Evelyn O’Donnell abstained on her husband’s appointment.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the municipal building.