Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Councilwomen Judy Noonan and Fran Siddons both voted to appoint James J. Byrnes
Only two of the seven Township Council members who were up on the dais all last year were still there at the New Year's Day organization meeting. Judy Noonan and Fran Siddons are now the senior members on the Township Council, which has had five new members sworn in since Jan. 1. So some residents at the Jan. 17 council meeting seemed surprised when just minutes after Berkeley Board of Education president James J. Byrnes was sworn into the Ward 1 seat, he was elected board president for 2012. But Noonan and Siddons, who are both serving their first terms, voted for Byrnes and say they have no problems with him serving as council president, even though he has never served on the council before. "No, not at all," Noonan said today "He has a …
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
School board is short two members due to November election
Berkeley Township Board of Education members are slated to interview two candidates tonight as replacements for John Bacchione and Thomas Grosse, who were recently sworn in as Township Council members. The new members may be selected tonight or at the board's regular meeting on Jan. 12, said Business Administrator/Board Secretary Laura J. Venter. "I can tell you for sure they will interview two candidates in executive session," Venter said. Eight people submitted resumes for the slots. One was disqualified because the applicant did not live in Berkeley Township, she said. The board will also select a new board vice president. Bacchione — the top vote-getter in the Township Council race in November — had previously served as the board's …
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Three Republicans also take oath of office for three at-large Township Council seats
With one hand on the Bible and the other wrapped around his 3-year-old son, Carmen F. Amato Jr. was sworn in today before a packed auditorium at the Berkeley Township Elementary School. "Ok, you asked for it," he joked, as he made his way to the podium to address the crowd." Amato became the township's first Republican mayor in 20 years. And the once Democratic bastion of Berkeley Township — one of the few in Ocean County — is now solidly Republican. Amato, 42, was sworn in by Congressman Jon Runyan, (R-NJ). He grew emotional at the beginning of his opening remarks. He thanked his parents for moving to Bayville 42 years ago to give their children a better life. "I know they are here in spirit, and I love and miss them very much," he said. …
Two-Term Township Councilman will be township's first Republican mayor in more than 20 years
Carmen F. Amato Jr. is slated to be sworn in as mayor at 2 p.m. today at the Berkeley Township Elementary School on Emory Avenue in Bayville. Congressman Jon Runyan (R-NJ) will swear the 42-year-old Amato into his first four year term. Runyon will administer the oath of office to Robert Ray, who was elected to his first term on the council. Republicans Ray, John Bacchione and Thomas Grosse, all part of the Amato team during the campaign, won decisive victories over their Democratic challengers in November. Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari will swear-in Bacchione and Grosse, Amato said. Amato narrowly ousted longtime Democratic Mayor Jason J. Varano by 248 votes out of nearly 14,000 votes cast, ending Varano's quest for a fourth term. The …
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Amato to be sworn in as mayor at Berkeley Township Elementary School on Sunday
Tuesday - Berkeley Township Council meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road. The caucus meeting starts at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the regular council meeting. This is the last council meeting of 2011. Tuesday - Teen Food Fear Factor -6 p.m. Berkeley branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville. Come and sample some truly gross and bizarre foods. Ages 13-18. Register online or call 732-269-2144. Thursday - Bingo night, sponsored by the Holiday City at Berkeley Bingo Club, Clubhouse #2, Port Royal Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday - "Just Dance Off," 1 p.m. at the Berkeley branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville. Show off your dance skills in a "Just …
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Mayor, mayor-Elect, administrator and council president absent
Short and sweet. The Nov. 14 Township Council meeting finished up in what must have been record time, ending at 7:42 p.m. "My God," said Township Councilman Nathan A. Abbe, as he glanced up at the clock in disbelief. On a normal meeting night, even the Township Council caucus meetings routinely run until 10 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting. But Tuesday night was different. It was the first council meeting since the Nov. 8 election. There were a lot of empty seats, both up front and in the audience. No mention of politics. Democratic Mayor Jason J. Varano, defeated in his quest for a fourth term by Republican Township Council Vice President Carmen J. Amato Jr., did not attend. Neither did Amato, who is on vacation. Township …
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Berkeley Board of Ed Vice President Running on GOP ticket for Township Council seat
John Bacchione says his financial knowledge as a loan officer will help bring much-needed business ratables to Berkeley Township. He points to towns in Southern Ocean County that have already attracted pieces and he sees no reason why Berkeley can't do the same. "I see the need for growth as I pass through Manahawkin, Lacey Township and Toms River," said Bacchione, who is a mortgage broker with GMAC. "I see all the commercial ratables. I say why not Berkeley? I think I can be of some help in getting them." "When people come to Berkeley Township just to go to Dairy Queen, I think you have a problem," he added. Bacchione, 53, Albatross Point, is running on the GOP ticket with Thomas Grosse and Robert Ray for the three at-large Township …
Friday, May 6, 2011
Fulcomer, Kowalewski and Ferlise sworn into three-year terms
Newly elected Berkeley Board of Education member James Fulcomer wasted no time getting down to business shortly after he was sworn in. Fulcomer called on the board to pass a resolution authorizing Business Administrator Laura Venter to contact all the towns in the Central Regional school district to see if they would be interested in joining a single K-12 district. "I think it's very important if we ask them to see if they are at least interested," Fulcomer said. "It is important we extend our hands and our interest in this direction. It would be good to know what boards are interested." Fulcomer was sworn in to his first term on the board, along with his running mates Noriko Kowalewski and Salvatore Ferlise. The board unanimously selected…
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ward 2 Township Councilman unanimously selected at GOP mini-convention
Township Councilman Carmen F. Amato Jr. wants to add a new title to his resume - mayor of Berkeley Township. "Berkeley Township has been my home for 40 years," Amato said. "I grew up here. I chose to stay here and raise my family. I want to give back to the community that gave so much to me." Members of the Berkeley Township Republican Club formally nominated Amato, 42, at a mini-convention at Central Regional Middle School Monday night to run as mayor in the November election. "Carmen will make a terrific mayor," Republican Club President James Fulcomer said today. Amato's nomination was unanimous. Council President Karen Davis, Councilwoman Judy Noonan and Berkeley Township Board of Education President James J. Byrnes also screened for …
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tenure as Berkeley interim schools superintendent lasted almost two years
Arlene J. Lippincott took over as schools superintendent nearly two years ago, after a previous Board of Education decided that Joseph H. Vicari's services were no longer needed. Today is the last day she will hold that title, even though the current board voted last October to begin contract negotiations with her for a permanent contract. "She goes back to the principal's desk in Bayville," board vice President John Bacchione said. And Vicari returns tomorrow to the job he held for six years, until the previous board decided not to renew his contract in 2008. His contract ran out in June 2009. "It's a tremendous move in the right direction," Bacchione said. "Joe Vicari has a proven track record as a successful superintendent. It saves the…
Bayville for 40 years
3:37 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Oh and EBITA, for our friends on the council does NOT mean "Every beuracrat is taking allowances". more ›