Franklin Lakes Council Picks Kahwaty as 2012 President

Charles Kahwaty will be president of the Franklin Lakes Borough Council for 2012.

The council unanimously approved Kahwaty after councilwoman and former Council President Paulette Ramsey nominated him for the position at the borough's 2012 reorganization meeting Sunday.

Kahwaty was to fill the seat left vacant when Frank Bivona became the mayor.

"It's been a privilege to serve this community," Kahwaty said.

Ramsey also took her oath of office as a member of the council.

Mayor Bivona gave his annual address at the meeting and summarized some of the borough's accomplishments from the past year, which included the opening of the and the response from the borough's DPW and emergency volunteers to the year's two big storms, Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm.

This year, Bivona said he hopes the borough will reduce its debt, continue developing local parks and recreation fields though partnerships and improve customer service while reducing property taxes.

Bivona will begin holding "meet the mayor" events this year to allow residents to bring their concerns directly to him. The first one will be January 19 at 7 p.m. in

This year's Fire Department and Ambulance Corps officers took their oath of office at Sunday's meeting.

"Franklin Lakes is a great community with residents who give unconditionally," Bivona said. "Our Fire, Ambulance and OEM volunteers are probably our most giving, and also our most vital."

The 2012 Franklin Lakes Fire Department officers are: Fire Chief Denny Knubel, Assistant Fire Chief Lawrence Kohan, Captain Ryan Dodd, Captain Ronald Meyers Jr., Lieutenant Jeremy Donch, Lieutenant Thomas Pianettini and President James Webb.

The 2012 Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps officers are: Captain Marc McKeon, 1st Lieutenant Dana Emmer, 2nd Lieutenant Fred Emmer, 3rd Lieutenant Laurie Burnette and President Kelly Larson.