Council Members To Take Office Tomorrow

The changing of the guard is set for tomorrow at Village Hall.

As Village Council holds its reorganization meeting, Bernadette Walsh and Tom Riche step up to the dais and Patrick Mancuso and David Pfund will depart it.

Starting at noon, the transition of power will occur will remarks from incoming, outgoing and remaining council members. Riche and Walsh were elected to Village Council last November defeating Douglas Cronk and Brian Dowd. They were assume the seats vacated by Councilman Mancuso and Mayor Pfund—neither sought reelection in the fall.

The incoming members will join current Deputy Mayor Keith Killion and Councilman Paul Aronsohn to form a four-member body. Council announced its intentions earlier this month to leave the seat of late Councilwoman Anne Zusy vacant until the November general election.

Killion, Walsh, Aronsohn and Riche will choice among themselves to appoint a new mayor and deputy mayor. Traditionally, the highest vote getter is named deputy mayor—in this case Walsh.

Usually senior members vie for the mayoral seat, which normally would be between Killion and Aronsohn. However, with four years of previous council experience, Riche is technically the senior member—Killion and Aronsohn were elected with Zusy in 2008.

Members will reveal their decisions and committee appointments at the noon meeting held in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room. 

Rev. Thomas Johnson of Mount Bethel Baptist Church will deliver the invocation before remarks by and devoted to Pfund and Mancuso. Between them, the councilmen have 28 years of local government experience—with Mancuso leaving after 20 years.

Municipal Court Judge for Glen Rock and Wyckoff Hon. Russell Teschon will administer the oath of office for Riche, and Village Clerk Heather Mailander will deliver it for Walsh. Each new council member will follow with individual remarks.

Following, the new council will appoint the village prosecutor, public defender, auditor, Planning Board members and other positions.

For the departing council, a last order of business will include officially dedicating the Village Hall Community Center in honor of Zusy.

So far, only one candidate has officially declared to seek the remaining years on Zusy's term. Local lawyer Steven Wellinghorst declared his candidacy last week for the November election.