Nutley Honors Library Nonprofit, Local Reverend With Proclamations

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley Board of Commissioners recently put a spotlight on a local nonprofit and clergy member for making positive contributions to the township.

The commissioner board issued proclamations to the Friends of the Nutley Public Library and the Rev. Joseph Anthony Ferraro at their meeting on Oct. 21.

Here are the proclamations for each honoree:

FRIENDS OF THE NUTLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

WHEREAS, the Friends of the Nutley Public Library raises money that supports the continued excellence of our Library -- providing the resources for additional programming, much needed equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and special events throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, the Friends’ support of the 2025 Summer Reading Program resulted in 800 children registered for the Summer Reading Program with a total 456,466 minutes read, 86 teens registered for a total of 102,357 minutes read and 139 adults registered, with 1,165,588 minutes read!; and

WHEREAS, the work of the Friends highlights, on an on-going basis, the fact that our library is the cornerstone of the community, providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connect with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to present; and

WHEREAS, the Friends understand the critical importance of well-funded libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of enhanced services to all ages, including access to educational programs, print materials, museum passes and tablets; and

WHEREAS, the Friends’ gift of their time and commitment to the library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Nutley, County of Essex, State of New Jersey declare October 19-25, 2025, as FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES WEEK and urge everyone to join the Friends of the Library and thank them for all they do to make our library and community so much better.

REV. JOSEPH ANTHONY FERRARO

WHEREAS, Joseph Anthony Ferraro was born on March 2, 1952, to Flora and Anthony Ferraro and has three siblings, Anthony, Angelo and Allan; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Joseph Anthony Ferraro, K.H.S., was ordained for the Archdiocese of Newark on November 17, 1990; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Ferraro will celebrate 35 years of serving the Lord and making a difference in the lives of Roman Catholic parishioners, not only in the Township of Nutley at Holy Family Church, but also the Church of St. Anne, Garwood, Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Jersey City, St. Joseph’s, Maplewood, St Anthony of Padua, Belleville, and Holy Family Church, Nutley; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Ferraro has proudly dedicated his time and talents serving on the following Archdiocesan Councils: Presbyterian Council, Property Management Council, Patrimony Council as well as serving as Part-Time Spiritual Director at Immaculate Conception Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Ferraro has had the distinct honor of being named A Knight of the Holy Sepulcher in 2014 and the Nutley-Belleville Parade, Italian Man of the Year in 2024;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Nutley, County of Essex, State of New Jersey join Reverend Joseph Ferarro’s family, friends and the entire Holy Family Community in congratulating Reverend Ferraro on the celebration of 35 years of dedicated service and to thank him for his valued contribution to our township.

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