Updegrave selected council president at reorganization
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Ann Updegrave

JACKSON - Township Council-woman Ann Updegrave was selected as president of the Township Council when the governing body held its annual reorganization meeting July 1.

There was no municipal election in May and all members of the council remain in place: Updegrave, Angelo Stallone, Scott Martin, Jason Gudaitis and Emily Ingram.

The council seats presently held by Gudaitis, Ingram and Stal-lone will be on the ballot in the May 2008 municipal election.

There will not be a municipal election in Jackson in 2009.

The mayor's seat held by Mark Seda and the council seats that are held by Martin and Updegrave will be on the municipal ballot in May 2010.

In accepting the position as council president, Updegrave said, "Having more than 15 years' experience in municipal government, I have the distinct advantage of bringing 14 years of past experience as a municipal employee into an elected official's role as the voice of the people, representing a new and different perspective for the position of Jackson Township Council president.

"Knowing the daily responsibilities of a municipal employee helps me to better understand the specific civic responsibilities necessary in bringing the best possible cost-effective services to the residents of Jackson," Updegrave said.

Stallone served as the council president from July 1, 2006, through June 30.

Updegrave said gaining education in the procurement of public funds by attending government seminars and college courses in public purchasing has prompted her to put forth resolutions on government ethics, state budget reform and online bidding, for the best possible return on municipal investments.

The new council president said she has studied and voiced opposition to proposed state Senate and Assembly bills that would have a negative effect on hospitalization and local public contract laws that control how bids and contracts for services for the township are made.

"I vow to continue my efforts in saving and protecting taxpayers' money and livelihoods by supporting open government policies and procedures and [I will] continue to educate myself in ways that will benefit the residents of Jackson and the morale of our public servants," Updegrave said. "I am proud to represent our residents and public servants and believe Jackson still has the best management team in place to best serve our residents for many years to come."

Gudaitis was tapped to serve as the council's vice president.

"I am very pleased," he said. "I appreciate the support that I received from the council for voting for me in as the vice president. It really says that I have their support and trust."

Gudaitis said he will do the best job he can for the township and the administration.

In other business at the reorganization, Ingram was appointed to the Planning Board for one year and Herbert W. Cook will serve as the mayor's designee on the Planning Board in the absence of Mayor Mark Seda.

Four additional appointments were made to the Planning Board: Daniel Burke (one-year term), Rick Cohen (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2011), Robert Hudak (one-year term filling the unexpired term of Joseph Orecchio) and Len Hiering (one-year term filling the unexpired term of Hudak).

Phil Del Turco took the oath of office and officially became Jackson's municipal administrator, replacing William Santos in that position.

"I thank Mayor Mark Seda and the council members for their support," Del Turco said. "Previously I served here for seven years and this truly feels like a homecoming. There is an old adage, 'The manager is only as good as the staff he is served by.' From what I have seen and have been told, Jackson residents are in good hands."

The following appointments were made by the council: Herbert W. Cook, emergency services liaison; Trish Van Clef, affirmative action compliance officer; Councilman Jason Gudaitis, council representative to the Kimball Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment were Barry Calogero, whose term will end on June 30, 2011, and William Santos, alternate No. 1 for a term ending June 30, 2009.

Appointed as members of the Central New Jersey Transportation Board were Mary Ann Vinciguerra and Steven Kodak, each for one year. Ramon Cruz and William Leitch were appointed as members of the Apartment and Mobile Home Park Rent Leveling Board.

Appointments as Jackson auxiliary police officers were given to Chief John Burnmeister and officers Almir Bolic, Matthew Jordan, Joseph Quinn, Leonard Loria, Kevin Frizziola, Robert Burns and Brant Uricks.

Denise Garner, Lori Newman and Hank Aranda were appointed as members of the Environmental Commission, while Gene Fowler was designated as the environmental commission chairman.

Appointed to the Information and Technology Advisory Board were Chair-man Paul Mayerowitz, Vice Chairman Michael Connor and Christian David, who will continue in the role of technical assistant; other board members are Frank Ali, Rick Ferrarelli, Stanley Goldman, Brian Lundy and Ted Sonder-man.