Feelings of patriotism expressed
By:David Koch
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Township Committee members expressed feelings of patriotism during the annual reorganization meeting Jan. 1, where former Deputy Mayor Mark Roselli was selected as the new Bordentown Township mayor for 2002.
"What we are doing here today is one of the great things about America the peaceful transition of government," said Mr. Roselli during his acceptance speech as mayor.
His first act as mayor was to nominate Committeeman George Chidley for deputy mayor, which was unanimously approved by the Township Committee. Both men were sworn in by Assemblyman Joseph Malone, R-30th.
"I say thank you and thank God that I am an American," said Mr. Roselli. "For, it is only in America where a boy raised in Camden from a family of insubstantial means can, with hard work and dedication, go to law school, go into public service, and now accept the honor and privilege of becoming mayor of Bordentown Township."
Committeewoman Carol de Groot spoke about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as she accepted her new position as public safety liaison.
"We have so much to be thankful for in this country, and after Sept. 11 it means so much more to us now than ever before," she said.
She also said it is not enough for the township to have an emergency management plan in place, but that it must also be workable and viable.
Last year’s mayor, William Nine Jr., will serve on the Township Committee this year as Public Works liaison.
"It was an exciting year for me as mayor, and I’m sure Mark (Roselli) will do an excellent job," he said.
"I am really proud that the (Township) Committee has worked together with the mayor this year, and I think it is a step forward for the township," said Mr. Nine after the meeting. "I hope to continue in that direction."
Mr. Chidley said in 2001 the committee created an open space advisory committee, a veteran’s advisory committee, reduced the local purpose tax rate by 5 cents, and received $2 million in county and state grants for acquiring open space in the township.
"(The year) 2002 will hold new challenges for the township," said Mr. Chidley.
"You will be hard-pressed to find another municipal government that meets so frequently and works as hard as this committee," said Mr. Roselli.
Mr. Roselli said the Township Committee will work in 2002 toward keeping taxes low, and making municipal government more open to the public.
He also said during the meeting that the township is looking into acquiring 334 acres of land for open space.
"I think the biggest thing is open space," said Ms. de Groot after the meeting when asked what the committee hopes to achieve in 2002. "I would like to see us have more on the way, but it takes time."
Besides serving as mayor, Mr. Roselli also will serve as township administration liaison, Mr. Chidley will serve as community relations liaison, and Committeewoman Pauline Angelo will serve as human services liaison.
Ms. Angelo was unable to attend the reorganization meeting because of an illness, officials said
During the meeting, Gregory Sullivan was chosen as the township attorney for the second year in a row.
Richard Arango was named as the new township engineer, replacing Jeffrey Richter.
The Township Committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, Jan. 14.