SOUTH RIVER–Reciting the Oath of Office with their loved ones in tow, newly appointed Council members Donna Balazs and Tony Ciulla were sworn into the South River Borough Council.
More than 90 residents attended the borough’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 1 in the South River Elementary and Middle School’s cafetorium.
Judge Thomas Dominiecki also swore re-elected Mayor John Krenzel into office.
“My only comments are [that] I’d like to thank the citizens of South River for electing me to a third term and for electing my running mates [Balazs] and [Ciulla],” Krenzel said. “Together with the sitting council members I know we will provide South River the type of government that people want. May you all have a happy and healthy New Year.”
Former Superior Court Judge Roger Daley swore-in Balazs and Ciulla.
“It’s nice to be back. Thank you to my friends and my family for being here – although some of you told me lovingly that I was crazy, you know who you are. … I look forward to working with all of you here,” Balazs said. “I ran with two great people. They are not only good men but good friends, I thank you for that. So I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.”
Ciulla said, “I want to say Happy New Year to everyone. I’d like to thank my family, my wife, my daughters, [and] my son-in-law for their support with this campaign. As [Balazs] stated we had a great time running so I’d like to thank the residents in town for their support. I definitely look forward to working with everybody.”
Commenting about a matter that he, Balazs and Krenzel noticed while campaigning, Ciulla said, “During our campaign [we] noticed a lot of homes did not have house numbers on them. It’s very important to please put a house number that police, the fire department and/or the medics can find. There are a lot of houses that do not have them, so if you don’t have one please get a house number on your home.”
Now entering a new year, Ciulla said residents should remember to change and replace their batteries for their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
With a unanimous vote, the council also voted and re-elected Raymond Eppinger as council president.
Borough Clerk Bill Bray swore-in newly appointed Fire Chief Peter Tresch and Second Assistant Fire Chief William Smith.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
