The Florence Township Council has appointed a new member.
After it was announced at an Oct. 16 council meeting that Councilman Theodore Lovenduski had resigned earlier in the month, Bruce Garganio, a former councilman, was appointed to fill the position through the end of 2019.
Township Clerk Nancy Erlston read Lovenduski’s letter of resignation.
“Since 2012, I have had the pleasure of serving the residents of Florence Township as councilman-at-large. While I have enjoyed my time serving the community in this capacity, I feel it is time for me to step down,” Lovenduski wrote. “I would like to thank the mayor and council as well as the residents for me providing me with the opportunity to work for them. Effective immediately, I am resigning from the position as councilman-at-large.”
Councilman Jerry Sandusky said, “Ted served his constituents well. He was here for eight years and he is going to be missed up here.”
Garganio most recently served as vice chairman of the Planning Board. Prior to his appointment as a member of the council, Garganio was slated to run on Nov. 5 for a four-year term on the council alongside Councilman Paul Ostrander. The two men are running unopposed.
Garganio will serve the remainder of Lovenduski’s term, which will end on Dec. 31. It is anticipated he will begin serving a four-year term in January.
Officials said Garganio was selected to fill Lovenduski’s seat from a list of three candidates recommended from the Florence Township Republican County Committee to the council. The other two residents considered for the position were John J. Pagano and Carl Mattson.
Ostrander made a motion to approve Garganio’s appointment. Councilman Frank K. Baldorossi Jr., Sandusky and Ostrander voted “yes” on the motion.
