Verona Reorganizes Township Council

On Tuesday evening, under a picture perfect, cloudless sky, the reorganization of the Verona Township Council and swearing-in ceremony took place on the steps of the Verona Municipal Building in front of a standing room only crowd.

The ceremony began with Township Manager, Joseph Martin, inviting the Boy Scouts from Troop 2 to lead the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Kelli Foy, a senior from VHS, singing the National Anthem. Father Mike Hanly of Our Lady of the Lake Church provided the Invocation.

After the Township Manager welcomed the honored guests and officials, Township Clerk, Jean McEnroe presented Certificates of Election, to both Frank Sapienza and Michael Nochimson, officially recognizing their election to Council. Sapienza was sworn in to Council by retired Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Richard Camp. Nochimson was sworn in to Council by Township Attorney, Paul J. Giblin. Both were accompanied by their families.

Michael Nochimson, who has lived with his family in Verona for nine years, opened his remarks by stating, “What Verona requires now is the will to cut through politics and the ability to instill confidence in individuals and departments necessary to support positive change.… My number one goal is to help strengthen the leadership of the Council and to work together with Council to deliver increased transparency and improve fiscal responsibility and results in the town of Verona.”

After Nochimson’s remarks, Township Manager Martin called the formal Council meeting to order and he requested nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor. Council Member Bob Manley was nominated and with his family by his side, was sworn in as Deputy Mayor by Township Attorney Giblin. Manley and his family have lived in Verona for almost 20 years. He will be Deputy Mayor for two years.

In his comments, Manley emphasized, “What I have learned more than anything else is about the amazing capacity of the residents of Verona…the way they give to their community is an overwhelming sensation.… I never fully realized the level of commitment that the people of Verona have for one another.… I am proud and humbled at the same time…and I promise that I will do my very best to live up to the commitment, engage myself and embrace the level of commitment and dedication that I have been so impressed with and just want to strive for myself.”

At that point, the Township Manager requested nominations for Mayor. With the departure of Mayor Teena Schwartz, who did not seek re-election, recently re-elected Council Member and former Deputy Mayor, Frank Sapienza was nominated. With his family returning to his side, Sapienza was sworn in as Mayor, by Judge Camp.

Mayor Sapienza expressed his feelings. “I am so proud to be standing here before you now, after being sworn in as the 27^th Mayor of the Township of Verona.… Verona is an amazing community with dedicated caring citizens.… I am enthusiastic about giving back to this community that so warmly welcomed me and my family [nine] years ago.” Also during his remarks, Sapienza echoed the Lou Gehrig farewell speech about “considering himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” In closing, Sapienza paid tribute to his recently deceased mother-in-law, who was constantly asking if he was the mayor yet. Looking up, he smiled and replied, “Yes Sarge, I’m in.”

Getting back to the official business of the meeting, Mayor Sapienza’s first duty was to open the meeting to public comments. Seeing none, he requested a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and the reorganization of the Verona Township Council was ended.

Kevin Ryan, who was elected to a two-year Council seat in May, was sworn in at the May16th Council meeting. Council Member, Jay Sniatkowski remains seated on Council until June 30, 2013. At that same time, Manley’s and Ryan’s term will expire as well.