MONROE – The Monroe Township Council reorganized with two women leading the council for the first time in the township’s history.
Councilwoman Miriam S. Cohen was nominated to serve as council president and Councilwoman Elizabeth “Betty” Schneider was nominated to serve as council vice president at the reorganization meeting on Jan. 1 held at the Monroe Senior Center.
“Working together for the common good has been my top priority since I was appointed to my seat on Monroe Township Council three years ago,” Cohen said. “Together we will accomplish great things for Monroe Township. My sincere gratitude goes out to my family, friends and all residents for your confidence and support. It is my honor to serve on the township’s governing body and I will continue to work toward the common good at every turn.”
In front of dignitaries, family and friends, Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro was sworn in for his second, four-year term and Stephen Dalina and Cohen were sworn in for their council-at large seats. Dalina is beginning his third term and Cohen is beginning her second term.
“It has been a pleasure to serve the Township of Monroe as council president for the past three years,” Dalina said. “I would like to thank the residents of Monroe, my friends and family for your support in the recent election. In the coming year, I look forward to reevaluating the township’s master plan and making sound, informed decisions in the best interest of our wonderful community.”
Tamburro welcomed family, friends, dignitaries and residents in attendance and thanked them for entrusting him with the honor of serving as mayor.
“I am both humbled and excited to stand before you today and take the oath of office as your mayor,” he said. “I have worked each and every day to live up to the faith and confidence that you have bestowed upon me.”
Tamburro stated that he supports Cohen and Schneider in their leadership roles and looks forward to working closely with them in the years ahead.
Together, as a community, Tamburro explained that the township has accomplished important achievements, including the second lowest tax rate in Middlesex County, the lowest water and sewer rates in the region, a AA+ bond rating, significant progress toward open space preservation goals and the safest community in Middlesex County.
He pledged to continue with a plan of fiscal responsibility, low debt and superb services while acknowledging the “great challenge” created by state court ordered affordable housing mandates resulting from the Mount Laurel court decision.
“While we fought extremely hard, and were successful in eliminating thousands of proposed units by the court, the impact of the Mount Laurel decision – which represents 96 percent of the new construction going forward in Monroe over the next 20 years – is significant,” Tamburro said. “But I am not afraid to push back when we can, and we are doing that.”
Tamburro pointed out current legal battles with “The Bald Eagle Developer” at Route 33 and Applegarth Road and the Monroe Park developer. He also touted a recent veterans housing project that will add 43 affordable units for veterans while saving the township 172 new homes.
“I love Monroe. We have so much to be proud of,” he concluded. “All of our success is the result of your support and dedication to our township. I would like to congratulate my two runningmates, Council President Miriam Cohen and Councilman Stephen Dalina, on their re-election, and I look forward to a great four years ahead for Monroe Township residents.”
During the reorganization meeting, Rabbi Yehuda Spritzer of the Chabad House of Monroe led the invocation, the Rev. June Tamburro of the Bridgewater Methodist Church led the benediction, and Marion Gennity sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
