HOWELL – Township Council members and other officials honored Robert Nicastro, Pauline Smith and Bob Walsh as the three public servants concluded their service to Howell on Dec. 11. Their terms on the council will officially end on Dec. 31.
Thomas Russo, Pamela Richmond and John Bonevich will begin serving four-year terms in January. All three council members-elect were in attendance at the Dec. 11 meeting. They will join Mayor Theresa Berger and Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell on the governing body in 2019.
Nicastro said there was a notable absence in the council chambers at the municipal building.
“Unfortunately, it is a little upsetting, I really wish Councilman Walsh could have been with us tonight, but as we know he is going through some health issues and will not be able to join us,” Nicastro said.
Berger read and repurposed the words of President George W. Bush to not only honor the outgoing officials, but to also recognize the incoming council members.
“The people of Howell did not send us here to bicker, they ask us to rise above the merely partisan. There is much to do and tomorrow the work begins. I do not mistrust the future, I do not fear what is ahead. We must hope to give Howell a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a citizen who leaves their home, their neighborhood and their town better than they found it,” Berger said.
She thanked Walsh, Smith and Nicastro.
“I personally would like to thank them for some laughs, for some education and a good screaming match here and there. I personally want to say thank you very much and obviously thank you to Bob (Walsh),” Berger said.
She then turned to Nicastro and playfully said “and I will miss the torture.”
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden called it a “bittersweet day” in Howell with the transition among council members.
“Certainly we all admire the hard work behind the scenes. I wish the public could see all the work that all the professionals and certainly the governing body puts in because it is a testament to what a great town we live in,” Golden said.
He praised Nicastro, Smith and Walsh.
“Their service and dedication was really a testament to everything that goes on in the town and I am sure the professionals will attest to how much work everyone puts in and I know the mayor sees it behind the scenes as well,” Golden said.
State Assemblymen Sean Kean and Ned Thomson honored the outgoing officials on behalf of the state.
“This is a bittersweet evening as (Golden) pointed out. We are saying farewell to a couple of good friends who have done a great job for your town,” Kean said.
Kean said when he was speaking to Nicastro before the meeting, the deputy mayor told him that during his time on council he “took a few scars, but made a few great decisions.”
“You know it’s hard when you have to come to terms with things like affordable housing and how we are going to deal with some of the problems the state is forcing on local municipalities and Rob (Nicastro) took that challenge,” Kean said.
Kean said Nicastro did an “outstanding” job and he called Smith a legend.
“Pauline Smith is just a legend, a local legend. She has been around, this is her second run now in elected service, as an environmentalist, as somebody who has done so many good things for Howell as a lifelong resident. I just wanted to pay tribute to you this evening as well,” Kean said.
Kean said his prayers were with Walsh and his family.
Thomson echoed Kean’s sentiments.
“I would like to thank everyone for their service, having been a mayor myself, I know it is very rare that you get thank yous so it is a good thing to do for the governing body,” Thomson said.
Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry called the outgoing council members “excellent public servants” and said no one appreciated them more than the people on the county level.
“If all the towns could be as successful and as bright as Howell, we would not have any problems at all,” she said.
Burry said Smith “stands for the environment, she stands for things that are important for us all.”
“She stands for what makes for a good environment in the way we live and Pauline has always been concerned about saving farmland and saving water resources, and she has done a remarkable job. I guess you (Smith) are a (legend) in your own time; enjoy your retirement,” Burry said.
Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone recalled how his friendship with Walsh started eight years ago when he (Arnone) decided to run for freeholder.
“I reached out to Bob Walsh at that time and spoke to him. Obviously, Howell is a big part of Monmouth County and I asked for his support. I will tell you one thing, you can agree with Bob Walsh, you can disagree with Bob Walsh, but you know Bob Walsh is loyal to you and his word is his word. We all have our prayers for Bob. We know there are not many people who are much stronger than Bob,” Arnone said.
Arnone said that when he met Nicastro he knew Nicastro was dedicated and committed to Howell. Arnone said the Dec. 11 council meeting was a fitting place to announce that when the freeholders meet on Dec. 20 they will seek proposals for a solar energy installation in Howell.
“That (solar energy) is a great use, it takes a financial burden off Howell that you have right now. It is energy efficient, it will be put in an area that does not impact our residents and it is for a good use because it (will be on) a capped landfill.
“I will tell you that Rob (Nicastro) was instrumental in wanting that to happen (and) it is kind of fitting because it is going to happen this month and Rob is leaving office this month,” Arnone said.
Nicastro said it was “a huge privilege and honor” to serve on the council for the past eight years. He served as the deputy mayor for the past six years.
“I believe I leave Howell in a better condition than it was in eight years ago. We do not always agree, nor should we. It is in debating our differences that we have represented our township as the tough decisions had to be made, whether it was contract negotiations, budget cuts or trying to maintain Howell’s rural character in the face of affordable housing mandates … That is part of the oath and the responsibility we take,” Nicastro said.
Smith thanked those in attendance for their kind words as she concluded her public service on the council.