Tanella and O'Toole Nominated to Serve as Mayor and Deputy Mayor

In a relatively short and routine Cedar Grove Council meeting Monday night, nominations were unanimously approved for Deputy Mayor Peter Tanella and Councilman Robert O'Toole to serve one-year terms as mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, beginning on July 1.

During his committee report O'Toole had recommended the council initiate the nominations in anticipation of the reorganization meeting on July 1 when the positions will be formally approved. had both been re-elected last year to four-year terms.

Making Cedar Grove Greener
Both Township Manager Thomas Tucci and Tanella commended several Cedar Grove residents for their efforts in sprucing up the town this spring.

Tucci thanked the Beautification Committee for their work in placing 32 planters throughout the borough, starting at the and ending near . 

Tucci said the work was a joint effort between the town, volunteers and the Cedar Grove Chamber of Commerce.

Tucci also thanked Al Rosen, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, for initiating an "Adopt a Planter" program in which local businesses purchase a planter and maintain it. 

Both Mayor John Zunic and Councilman Joseph Chiusolo noted the many efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, especially the recent successful 50/50 raffle that raised more than $8,000 in funds to be given as college scholarships to graduates from .

"The small businesses are an arm of our community and we should support them," Chiusolo said.

The local Girl Scouts earned Tanella’s praise for their work on Arbor Day. Tanella thanked the troops under the leadership of Cedar Grove Resident Linda Cunniff.

Other Business
Several bond ordinances were unanimously passed after they were opened up for a public hearing. The ordinances, which passed without any public comment, call for improvements and upgrades for the water and sewer utilities and other various general improvements in the town.

• An additional ordinance passed without any public comment that will require background checks for volunteers involved with township recreational programs.
• Chiusolo noted he attended the Cedar Grove Rescue Squad pancake breakfast last Sunday along with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen. Members of the rescue squad asked if the town could secure some grants to acquire a command vehicle. Tucci said he would research any possible federal grant opportunities.
• Zunic and other council members noted correspondence from residents about the condition of 1st Avenue. Zunic asked Tucci to find out when this road is scheduled for repaving.