It was a special day for Jennifer Sciortino on May 20 at the Carslake Community Center in Bordentown City.
The director of Communications for the New Jersey Treasury Department was sworn in as the new mayor of Bordentown City after receiving the largest amount of votes during the May 11 nonpartisan election.
“It’s really inspiring and I’m very honored,” Sciortino said. “It’s something that I’m not taking lightly and I’m ready to get to work.”
Sciortino, along with James Lynch and Joe Myers, were elected by the public to be the commissioners of the city for the next four years.
According to the election results sent out by Bordentown City Clerk Grace Archer, Sciortino received the most votes to become mayor with 645 ballots. Myers will assume the role of deputy mayor, receiving the second most votes in the municipal election with 628 ballots.
Lynch will serve a ninth term as city commissioner by collecting 608 votes in the election. The Bordentown native has served the community since 1989.
Lynch had a special moment take place at the swearing-in ceremony as he took the oath of office with his grandson, Maverick, at his side.
When Lynch was sworn into office for the first time in 1989, Lynch’s daughter, Siobhan, whose son is Maverick, was at his side.
The full-circle moment was something Lynch felt symbolized his work in government for the last 32 years.
“It means a lot to me and my family,” Lynch said. “We love this town. It’s very special to us. We always have done what’s best for the town. It’s never been about any personal agendas. Working for the public never changes.”
Lynch will continue his role as director of Public Safety and Affairs, setting his sights on moving City Hall and the headquarters of the Bordentown City Police Department over to Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte’s historic Point Breeze estate that the city helped purchase earlier this year.
He also looks forward to working with D&R Greenway Land Trust and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in helping make the Point Breeze property an accessible state park for city residents and guests.
The park Lynch said will be very “environmentally sensitive.”
Myers will remain in charge of overseeing the areas of Public Works during his second term in office as director of Public Property, Streets and Water.
During his first term, Myers headed up the Bordentown Water Advisory Committee and helped the city’s water system return to compliance after high levels of lead were found in the system just two years ago.
He also took charge in leading the city’s new General Parks Committee, which Myers adds will focus on this upcoming year helping improve the accessibility of parks on West Street, Ann Street and Oliver Street.
Repaving roads and building better sideways across the city are other goals that Myers has his sights on in the future.
Another plan that is in the works for next year is replacing the four-inch water main on Union Street with an eight-inch water main, said Myers.
“We have a lot of plans in Public Works this upcoming year,” Myers said. “It’s a great opportunity and privilege to serve the residents of Bordentown City again. The resident-driven approach that we had in the prior administration resonated with people and I look forward to working closely with the residents in my second term.”
Sciortino will take over former Deputy Mayor John Brodowski’s duties as director of Revenue and Finance.
The new mayor plans on working closely with the Downtown Bordentown Association to help local businesses “weather” the pandemic.
Two important priorities for Sciortino to begin her term as mayor will be the redevelopment of the Ocean Spray property in the city and the recent purchase of the Point Breeze property that was owned by Divine Word Missionaries.
Improving communication lines between local government and residents is another key resolution that Sciortino is looking to find solutions for. New social media channels and a newsletter are ideas that Sciortino said she is in the process of implementing for the city.
With 25 years of experience working in municipal government and in the state’s treasury department, Sciortino believes that she has the tools to serve as mayor and looks forward to serving the people of Bordentown City.
“It’s an honor that comes with a lot of responsibility,” said Sciortino. “The 25 years of experience I have working in municipal government and in the state treasury department has prepared me well for this role.”