Longtime Belleville Town Clerk Is Retiring, Town Bids Her Farewell

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville officials recently bid a fond goodbye to Kelly Cavanagh, who is retiring on Feb. 1 after serving the township for 20 years as municipal clerk.

A proclamation read at the Township Council meeting last week Cavanagh’s “strong sense of civic pride,” which has consistently served as an inspiration for others, officials said (watch the video below).

The proclamation read: “On behalf of the Mayor and Township Council, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Kelly for her loyalty, outstanding career and unwavering dedication and service to the Township of Belleville.”

According to township officials:

“Cavanagh has served the residents of Belleville in myriad ways over the past 31 years, including the past 20 as municipal clerk. Whether serving as secretary of the Township Council, serving as custodian of records, administering local elections or issuing licenses and permits, she did it all with grace, integrity and an ingrained sense of duty.”

The proclamation also acknowledged Cavanagh’s husband, Richard, and their son, John Joseph.

“Kelly will surely be missed, as she's been part of the fabric of our community for many years – a community she has served well,” Mayor Michael Melham said.

“I know she has many good years ahead of her as she watches her son play football and prepares to travel,” Melham said. “I sincerely wish her, and her family well.”

Cavanagh is being replaced by Alberto Cabrera, who served as the clerk for the Town of Guttenberg in Hudson County for 14 years. Cabrera, who is bilingual, is already in Belleville, and is working with Cavanagh on the transition, officials said.

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