Richard Pucci Mayor Richard Pucci and members of the Monroe Township Council reflected on 2011 while looking forward to the challenges of 2012 during the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting.
Pucci, beginning his seventh four-year term, said the township maintains “a gold standard” and that the community has grown and expanded greatly during his 24 years as mayor.
Addressing the ongoing difficulties that face municipal government, Pucci acknowledged that consolidation and shared services are helpful, but said a change in methods of taxation would be more significant, specifically embracing a progressive income tax over the property tax.
In addition, he expressed pride in township residents’ and employees’ response to Hurricane Irene, the event that defined 2011 for many Monroe citizens.
“It devastated us, and literally hundreds of people overnight lost their homes,” Pucci said. “I was there firsthand; it was unbelievable how the community came together to help everyone. “It was just miraculous to see and it says something about our community,” he added.
Township Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton later provided an update on Monroe’s flood mitigation acquisition, through which the township is purchasing flood-ravaged homes that met certain criteria. Hamilton said the township has reached agreements to purchase the homes of nine residents and is still waiting to hear from attorneys regarding three other offers. The homes are being purchased with money from the township’s Open Space Trust Fund.
Following Pucci’s comments, newly swornin Councilman Steve Dalina, a Democrat beginning his first term, thanked his family, friends and other supporters. Dalina also recognized the service of Irwin Nalitt, who did not seek re-election last year after 24 years on the council.
“It is a commencement for both of us, a beginning for both of us,” he said.
Dalina offered his view on the suggestion that Nalitt left him with big shoes to fill.
“Irwin has created a blueprint, a simple blueprint to follow: To be just, to be fair and to be a good man,” Dalina said. “How much more simple can you get?”
Councilwoman Leslie Koppel, a member since 2006, was also sworn in to a new four-year term. She thanked her supporters while vowing to remain committed to Monroe residents.
“I’m so proud of going around the town,” Koppel said. “It’s my joy to work here and be responsive and make it a place where people thrive and people love to live.”
Also at the meeting, the council unanimously voted to reappoint Gerald W. Tamburro and Henry L. Miller as council president and vice president, respectively.
Three days later, during the council’s Jan. 4 meeting, the council reappointed Wayne Hamilton as business administrator, as well as director of the Department of Administration and Finance, and director of the Department of Planning and Environmental Protection.
In addition, the council reappointed Joel L. Shain as township attorney and Ernest W. Feist as township engineer.
The council consists of four Democrats, Tamburro, Miller, Koppel and Dalina, and one Republican, Michael Leibowitz. Pucci is a Democrat.