Morris County Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo was chosen by his colleagues to be the group’s director for 2013. He replaces William Chegwidden who lost in the June 2012 Primary Election.

The Montville freeholder was sworn in to the leadership position during the governing body's annual reorganization meeting on Friday. Towaco resident William "Hank" Lyon was also sworn in to serve the balance of his term after he was elected in March 2012.

In his first bid for a Morris County Freeholder seat, Washington Township’s John Krickus, along with running mates John Cesaro and David Scapicchio, won a three-year seat on the governing body and was sworn in Friday as well.

Krickus plans to get to work immediately and just as quickly stop spending, he said. “My top priorities are a 0-percent increase to operate county government, eliminating health benefits for freeholders as we are part time officials,” Krickus said in an email to Patch.

“I fully endorse the goal of freezing county property taxes, possibly for the first time ever, made possible in part by Governor Chris Christie’s arbitration, pension, and benefit reforms,” Krickus said when being sworn in Jan. 4.

“I will use my business experiences and work with the managers of county government to streamline and increase efficiency.”

Shown in a chart prepared by Krickus, county taxes rose by at least 3.9-percent each year since 2001. In 2002, taxes went up 11.5-percent–the highest amount in the 12-year period–according to the chart.

The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of Director Mastrangelo; Deputy Director David Scapicchio; Douglas Cabana; Cesaro; Ann Grossi; Krickus; and Lyon.