Red Bank Bylaws Vote Brings Politics To Ceremonial Meeting

RED BANK, NJ — William "Billy" Portman was sworn in as mayor of Red Bank Wednesday night before a crowd that cheered him.

Councilmembers Angela Mirandi and John Jackson were sworn into office and also received warm receptions.

But after that came the first test of the new council's dynamics.

In a belated addition to the agenda, a resolution put forth by Councilman Ed Zipprich to set bylaws for the Borough Council meeting protocol, including one that would require a majority of council to permit resolutions to come before it, came up for a vote.

Councilwoman Kate Triggiano, who ousted Zipprich from the Democratic leadership after the last election, vehemently opposed the resolution. The bylaws resolution was just received by the council Wednesday afternoon, she said.

She said the requirements for a resolution to get the approval of the relevant council committee chair or the support of three council members as cosponsors to be considered at a regular meeting means "a lot of hoops to jump through to get a resolution up for conversation."

She added that the rule is "restrictive and undemocratic." She asked the council to reconsider proposing the resolution.

Portman said he was concerned that the council members did not have adequate time to review the bylaws and he asked that the matter be tabled.

But Zipprich stood by his motion to present the new bylaws, and it had already been seconded so a vote was imminent.

Zipprich explained the purpose of the bylaws is to set in motion the rules for the borough operations. He said he asked the borough administration for a copy of bylaws for Red Bank Council, but that a copy of such rules was not able to be secured.

So he reached out to a mayor of Fanwood whom he said he knows to get a sample of bylaws there. He said they were then reviewed by the borough attorney and "adapted" to Red Bank - and then presented to the council last night.

Triggiano strongly opposed the motion.

"This means I would have no ability to introduce a resolution to the public. . . . .I am in touch with the people and I bring things forward," she said, referring to the majority vote requirements.

Although all members of council are Democrats, there is a rift in the party and Triggiano, as well as the mayor, do not necessarily ally with Zipprich, as is usually the case with the rest of the council. Read more about council background here.

She said she has "never taken a step to censor somebody here from introducing a piece of legislation or an ordinance they believe in. I really think this is important and people should be paying attention," she added.

Triggiano received applause from the audience after these and other comments, and you can listen to the entire discussion here.

Mirandi inquired if the bylaws could be amended at a later time and she was assured, including by Zipprich, that they could be.

So the bylaws were approved by a vote of 5 to 1, with a single no vote by Triggiano. Portman, as mayor, did not have a vote since there was not a tie.

But apart from this discussion, most regular business of the council was conducted without controversy.

And earlier in the meeting the ceremonial aspects of bringing new people into the council created an atmosphere of anticipation. The council chambers saw a standing room only crowd.

State Sen. Vin Gopal, a Democrat, read the oath of office to Portman to much applause and cheers. A similar reaction came as friends and family supported Jackson and Mirandi.

Fire Chief Wayne Hartman, First Deputy Fire Chief Robert Holiday Jr., and Second Deputy Chief Frank Woods were also sworn into office, again to vigorous applause.

The end of the meeting did not permit public comment, a decision that was met by some concern from a resident who wished to be heard. But Portman said there was no public comment on the agenda on advice of counsel and added that the Borough Council will meet next Wednesday and will resume public comment then.

Portman addressed the public at the end of the meeting, as did Mirandi and Jackson.

Portman observed how he will now oversee some of the biggest changes in Red Bank history - a change in the form of government to a nonpartisan form, with a council election in May and also plans to update the master plan.

"I'm excited to be at the helm of these changes," he added. He said he will have office hours on Mondays, to start, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and he wants to hear from the public.

And he thanked the voters of Red Bank, as did Jackson and Mirandi, for their support and trust.

Jackson expressed appreciation for those who endorsed him and Mirandi and who worked for the campaign. He made special mention of his daughter who supported him throughout the campaign and is completing college.

Mirandi thanked her family, too, and expressed appreciation for borough employees who address quality of life issues and work "to keep Red Bank affordable," she said.

Portman noted that Red Bank is an "amazing little town."

He said the most important question he will ask himself before taking any action as mayor is "Is this decision good for Red Bank?"