Secaucus Mayor, Council Take Oath Of Office Jan. 2

SECAUCUS, NJ — It was standing-room only Tuesday night, Jan. 2 inside Secaucus Town Hall, where Mayor Mike Gonnelli and the Moving Secaucus Forward team were sworn in for four more years running the town.

First Ward Councilmen Robert Constantino and John Gerbasio, 2nd Ward Councilman Mark Dehnert and Third Ward Councilman William McKeever and Councilwoman Orietta Tringali were all sworn in Tuesday night. Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli was also sworn in for another four years. This will be Gonnelli's third four-year term as Secaucus' mayor.

All of the above are incumbents who are returning in 2018, and all but one ran unopposed in 2017 to keep their seats. Constantino, 49, was challenged by political newcomer Steven Kilawattie, 23, a Secaucus High School graduate who has also run unsuccessfully for school board before. Constantino also made headlines last year when he was charged by Secaucus police with hindering apprehension after a minor car accident Sept. 23 near his home on Third Street. What's being disputed is who was driving the car when the accident occurred, and Constantino was charged with a disorderly persons offense by Secaucus police officer Petrov Kiril. Constantino said Tuesday night the issue "is a non story" and "it will all be resolved soon."

Orietta Tringali is the only newcomer to the Secaucus Town Council, and she was handpicked by Gonnelli to replace Councilwoman Susan Pirro, who announced last fall that she would be resigning her seat to battle breast cancer. Tringali is a longtime Harmon Cove resident, a second-grade teacher at Huber Street School and is a current board trustee at the Secaucus public library. She also sits on the Harmon Cove recreation board. As Pirro vacated her seat, the mayor was allowed to appoint her replacement. In November 2018, Orietta's seat will be up for reelection.

Pirro's absence was noted many times last night:

"I would have preferred (Pirro) to remain on the Council for many years to come," said Gonnelli. "But I've known Orietta for years and always found her to be passionate for helping people. While there's no doubt that Orietta has some big shoes to fill, I have no doubt she will be a successful councilwoman."

Secaucus public school students Nick Ducusin, Miah Arana, Chase Melendez and Emily Gasser performed the National Anthem and the Secaucus Boy Scout Troop led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gonnelli, who is very popular in town as mayor, highlighted some of the success of his Moving Secaucus Forward team:

"This past year we acquired property on the foot of Farm Road by the river; it will be converted into a beautiful park with a large play area and a dog run," he said. "This land will become one of the largest parks we have to offer to the people of Secaucus. These efforts have expanded our park service and will preserve open space for years to come. As a Council, we have worked hard to keep taxes stable, and we're going to keep taxes stable. That's a promise. We have not had a tax increase in eight years. We've absorbed the county and school tax in the past two years. Responsible spending will be our personal hallmark."

"Since taking office eight years ago, we've also made flood control a priority," Mayor Gonnelli continued. "Hurricane Sandy woke us all up. We all know what happened around here after Hurricane Sandy. We've taken significant steps to improve our infrastructure, including improving our pump stations and installing a flood wall ... Our vision is also to build a new recreation center. My vision is that it will include a turf field covered by a pre-fabricated building that we can use for recreation all year long. That's something we pledge to get done. It's still in the early stages and we're still working to analyze the cost."

2017 also saw an $18 million increase in Secaucus' ratable base (property that can be taxed), Gonnelli said.

"Next year we're going to be over $100 million (in ratables.) That's what development brings to Secaucus: Attracting new businesses here brings something to the table," he said. "We're in this together and we have to stay in this together."

New firefighters and officers for the Secaucus volunteer fire department were also sworn in Tuesday night.

All photos and reporting done by Carly Baldwin/Secaucus Patch