Braden to Serve as Mayor Another Year

Tim Braden will serve another year as Montville's mayor after the township committee unanimously voted in favor of his selection at Thursday night's reorganization meeting.

Don Kostka, who was sworn in at the meeting by state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, was appointed by unanimous vote to serve as deputy mayor. Kostka won re-election to a second term in November.

In his State of the Township address, Braden said Montville is unique in its form of government in which committee members select one of their own to serve as mayor. Montville government has operated this way since a charter was signed in 1867, he said, and the township is one of only 12 municipalities in the state that governs in such a fashion.

"None of the five of us has any additional authority over the rest," he said, noting that the mayor does perform some added duties, such as leading government meetings and occasionally performing marriages.

Braden said that “majority rule is our standard,” and that all committee members are tasked with working together to make Montville a “unique and better community.”

Braden said that while writing his speech, he realized he could have used the same sentiments that he presented during last year’s address, as many of the words that came to mind were the same. Like last year, Montville was faced with a major storm this year and like last year, Braden said, township officials and volunteers rose to the occasion.

“These were events that most of us have never seen before and hopefully will never see again,” the mayor said he remarked in 2012.

Braden once again acknowledged the hard work of borough employees in the days that followed Superstorm Sandy and asked the audience to commend them as well.

“Please join me in recognizing these heroes of 2012,” he said.

Kostka, who was invited to provide comments following Braden’s, kept his remarks short.

"Thank you for your votes, thank you for your support and that’s it," he said.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, several retiring police officers and employees were honored for their years of service.

Outgoing borough professionals were recognized for their work in the township and new borough officials were appointed. Alissa Danielle Hascup was appointed to a one-year term as municipal prosecutor and John Cesaro was appointed to a one-year term as municipal public defender.

Martin Murphy was reappointed as the township attorney. The firm of Lerch, Vinci and Higgins was appointed as township auditors and McManimon & Scotland, LLC was appointed as the township’s bond counsel.

One by one, the township committee members called out names of volunteers who were appointed to various boards and commissions. Braden said he was appreciative that so many Montville residents were interested in serving.

“These are the 185 people who assist us in doing our job up here and I’d like to thank each and every one of them,” Braden said.

Thursday’s reorganization meeting was opened with a prayer by The Rev. Charles Bigelow, of the Montville Reformed Church, and closed by a prayer from Reverend Mark Olenowski of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church.