Fiore named Middletown Mayor at annual reorganization meeting

By Elyse Jankowski

Anthony P. Fiore was sworn in as Middletown Township’s Mayor Sunday in the annual reorganization meeting at town hall.

More than 100 residents, family and friends attended the ceremony that included the reappointments of various township officials, including the township attorney and general special council.

The meeting began with the swearing in of committee member and outgoing mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger and new committee member Kevin Settembrino. The election of mayor was awarded to Anthony P. Fiore. Committee member Pam Brightbill was sworn in as Deputy Mayor. Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. administered the oaths of office.

Middletown’s Fire Chief and Deputy Chief were also sworn in: Michael Chenoweth and Andrew Spears of the Middletown Fire Department.

His fellow council members elected former Deputy Mayor Fiore, a Republican who began to serve on the township committee in 2009, unanimously to the mayoralty.

During his remarks, Mayor Fiore outlined goals for 2011, which include “continuing to put Middletown first” by complying with the 2% property tax cap and calling for township-wide property reassessments.

“Many of the decisions we make will be difficult and some unpopular,” he noted.

Fiore addressed rising health insurance costs, which he plans to tackle by working together with his “great, well-rounded committee.” He also stated that “shared services will be crucial” in the year ahead.

Fiore will maintain support for Middletown’s Recycle2$ave program, which challenges the community to reduce their carbon footprint and save tax dollars. In addition, he looks forward to Ideal Beach improvements and the Port of Belford Project, both of which strive to improve the economic and physical viability of Middletown’s”hidden gem” on the bayshore.

Fiore’s closing remark spoke to the importance of service – “What truly makes Middletown a great place to live is the service of our volunteers.”

Deputy Mayor Brightbill’s address mirrored Fiore’s objectives.

“One of the most important attributes of any elected official is someone who knows and understands you,” she said. “I’m confident we can find ways to continue to make Middletown great without using taxpayer dollars.”

Brightbill plans to “continue being a liaison with Middletown’s great volunteers.”

New Committeeman Settembrino echoed the council’s intentions and intends to “maintain taxes and generate new ways for non-tax revenue.”

In outgoing Mayor Scharfenberer’s remarks, he addressed the issue of snow removal that was no doubt on everyone’s minds in the wake of last Monday’s blizzard.

“I know frustrations were extremely high,” he said. “We look at this as a teachable moment.”

Scharfenberger has been appointed to Governor Christie’s administration as Director of the Office for Planning Advocacy, formerly the Office of Smart Growth. Reflecting on his time as mayor, Scharfenberger noted, “2010 will be remembered as the most difficult economic year” but assured that “the Christie administration has made tremendous strides” in the effort to consolidate services. Scharfenberger plans to “return New Jersey to greatness” with Christie.

The members of the 2011 Middletown Township Committee are Mayor Anthony P. Fiore, Deputy Mayor Pamela M. Brightbill, and Committeemen Steve Massell, Gerard P. Scharfenberger and Kevin Settembrino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted: January 2nd, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Middletown | Tags: Middletown, Tony Fiore | 3 Comments »

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