Westwood Welcomes New Government

Westwood welcomed two members to their town council as councilmen-elect John J. Sciara and Cynthia Waneck were officially appointed to their positions at the borough’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.

The 118th Meeting gathered town citizens and elected officials alike in the Westwood Community Center to witness the swearing in for multiple positions in the borough’s government.

“It is my privilege to extend a warm welcome back and heartfelt congratulations to the re-elected council members Sciara and Waneck,” Mayor John Birkner Jr. said after being sworn in by Judge Alan Karch. “I am confident that together we will continue work to keep Westwood working in a positive direction that this governing body has endeavored to maintain.”

Waneck, whose father stood next to her as she took her oath of office and was later nominated by councilmember Robert Miller to succeed him as Council President, said she hoped to continue her work in previous terms going forward.

“The majority of you in the office tonight serve the borough of Westwood either as volunteers or employees and you know better than anyone what this council has done and you know better than anyone what this council still needs to do,” Waneck said. “I will in my third-term as your councilwoman continue to work towards those goals.”

Sciara, who followed Waneck and was sworn in surrounded by his family and grandchildren, said one of his goals in his new term would be continuing efforts to re-open Pasack Valley Hospital.

“I am very honored to be elected as your councilmen again … I serve you today to make a better future for [my grandchildren] and all,” Sciara said. “Connor was one of the last babies born and Pasack Valley Hospital. I, with this mayor and council will do all we can to see that our hospital is operating again.”

Waneck and Sciara were elected in November after defeating Democrats Phillip Cerruti and David Fischer in the general election. The election was highly contested, with the winners only coming out on top with less than a 300-vote lead.

“Waneck and Sciara should be commended for their admirable campaigns,” Mayor Birkner said. “It showed much about character of Westwood and the integrity of those who seek to serve the residents of Westwood.”

Following the swearing in of Waneck and Sciara, the newly formed council began constructing their government for the foreseeable future and re-appointed the positions of municipal judge, borough attorney, borough engineer and other professional appointments.

Mayor Birkner continued the reorganization by announcing Council committee appointments for 2012, including the selection of councilmember Peter Grefrath to the Health & Recreation Committee. Grefrath, who has served Westwood for 17 years, had never served in the position before, Brirkner said.

“There will be a breaking in period,” Grefrath said jokingly to those in attendance.

Other appointments were made to the Board of Health, Recreation Advisory Board, Heritage Society, Historic Commission Board, Safety Committee, Local Assistance Board, Technology Committee, Westwood Parking Authority, Shade Tree Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Environmental Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees and the Planning Board.

Judge Karch also swore in Westwood’s police reserves, ambulance corps officials and fire department officials.

Finally, awards were given to outgoing Fire Chief Christopher Kelly, police reserve Robert Murin and to inductees into the Volunteer Emergency Services Hall of Fame.

Mayor Birkner closed the reorganization meeting with final remarks looking back at Westwood’ last year.

“[This year] was probably the most challenging year that Westwood has seen in quite a long time,” Birkner said. “It was through the efforts of our volunteers that we pulled through together and averted what could have been catastrophic events…Westwood has been through a lot and yet, together we have pulled our town together to show why Westwood is the premiere place to live in Bergen County.”