Byram reorganizes with few changes

Byram - Despite the absence of Councilwoman Donna Griff and Councilman Lou Esposito, Jr., who were unable to attend the council’s July 5 meeting, Byram’s reorganization meeting was carried out with business as usual, and no big surprises in store for residents. Mayor Eskil Danielson led the meeting, accompanied by councilmen Earl Riley and James Oscovitch, who contributed with the filling of various appointments and re-appointments. The relatively new position of deputy mayor in Byram Township’s non-partisan government will be filled by Councilwoman Donna Griff. In a departure from recent years, long-time Township Attorney Megan Ward asked not to be reappointed as township counsel. That appointment fell to Thomas F. Collins, Jr. of Vogel, Chait, Collins and Schneider of Morristown. In his first duty to the township, Collins was asked to draw up an ordinance amendment to add the recently created post of deputy mayor to the existing posts permitted to serve as signatories on checks and other financial documents. Esposito was reappointed to the seat of council representative, and Caryn Segal will continue to represent the planning board. The council is still looking for volunteers for a few municipal boards. There are two vacancies on the Environmental Commission, one for a three-year term and another for an alternate, a two-year term. Sheila Hall was appointed to the other three-year term. An unexpired term on the Recreation Commission is also open. It expires on June 30, 2007. Michael Flora was appointed to a three-year term. Other council re-appointments were made, including Robert Chozick and Michael Walsh to four-year terms on the planning board; Adolf Steyh to a one-year term; Andrew McElroy to again serve as alternate; and Esposito to continue as council representative. Three four-year terms on the board of health again will be filled by Mary Benson, Adolph Steyh and John Cubberly. Cheryl White was re-appointed deputy clerk. Besides township counsel, the following other professionals were re-appointed: Thomas N. Ryan of Laddey, Clark and Ryan of Newton, special counsel for labor negotiations; Robert H. Beinfield of Hawkins, Delafield & Wood LLP, bond counsel; John Cesure, public defender; Raymond Sarinelli of Nisivoccia & Company, Rockaway, township auditor; Cory Stoner of Harold Pellow & Associates, township engineer; Wastewater Management, Inc., township sewer operator, and Steven Donati of Cerenzio and Panaro, township sewer engineer. All are one-year terms. The position of township prosecutor remained unfilled and will be discussed by council at a later date. Council liaisons also did not change with Oscovitch assigned to the Recreation Committee; Griff to the Environmental Commission; Riley to the Board of Health; and Griff to Youth Guidance. In addition, the municipal liaisons are: Musconetcong Sewerage Authority, Oscovitch, and Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board, Riley. Riley accepted the assignment of Regional Planning Board representative, a position that remained vacant for several years. Danielson re-appointed five members of the eight-member Architectural Review committee: Marie Raffay, Vincent Gallo, Andrew McElroy, Maureen McGarrity, and Christina Honthy. He also made three new appointments: Scott Olson, Chris Goffredo, and John Pappalardo. Township Manager Greg Poff also made his appointments: Assessment Search Officer, Township Clerk Doris Flynn; Tax Search Officer, Tax Collector Lisa Spring, and Land Subdivision Search Officer, Planning Director Christopher Hellwig.