There were no changes in leadership on the Township Committee when Millstone Township’s governing body reorganized for 2015 on Jan. 7.
Committeeman Robert Kinsey was selected by his fellow committee members to serve another one-year term as mayor and Committeeman Michael Kuczinski was selected to serve another one-year term as deputy mayor.
All five members of the committee are Republicans. “Mike, you did a fine job this [past] year,” Kinsey said to Kuczinski. “You really stepped up when I needed you, especially during the latter half of the year at a very important time for me. You took care of a lot of the responsibilities behind the scenes that people don’t always see, like [conducting weddings]. I appreciate that and would appreciate it if you would accept the nomination [for deputy mayor].”
The election of Kinsey and Kuczinski as mayor and deputy mayor, as well as every other appointment, received a 4-0 vote.
Committeeman Gary Dorfman was absent from the meeting.
Nancy Grbelja and Fiore Masci are the other members of the governing body.
Addressing Kinsey, Masci said, “It is wonderful working with you. You are a great person and you are great to be with on this team. I am glad to be a part of it with you.”
Kuczinski and Masci, who were reelected in the November election, took the oath of office to begin serving terms that will carry them through Dec. 31, 2017.
Kinsey said he believes residents are pleased with the way things are going in town. He thanked residents for trusting him.
“You know, it has been a challenge,” he said. “This is my 11th year [in Millstone government] and the only person here longer than me is Committeewoman Grbelja. The fact that we are here shows our perseverance and our ability to do what is right for the residents.”
Kinsey said he has lived in Millstone for 20 years.
“I don’t know if anyone up here has lived here longer, but I love this town and think it is beautiful,” he said. “As long as I live here I would anticipate being part of the solutions that we work through. Thank you for your support and the residents for electing me and believing in us.”
Grbelja shared her belief that Millstone will be represented well on the county level.
Grbelja was re-appointed to the Monmouth County Planning Board for a three-year term. In addition, she will serve on the Agricultural Development Board for a three-year term and on the Monmouth County Library Commission.
Pat Butch, the chairwoman of Millstone’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Committee, was appointed to the Monmouth County Board of Recreation for a five-year term by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
During the reorganization meeting, attorney Nicole Sonnenblick was sworn in to begin her service as Millstone’s municipal court judge. State Assemblyman Robert Clifton (R-Monmouth) administered the oath of office to the new judge.