Deborah Mans sworn in as mayor as council closes the book on Patrick era

Before handing over the gavel, outgoing Mayor Stuart Patrick presided over a round of commendation resolutions honoring departing volunteers — including Christopher Valerian, Rick Mason, William Seeman, Arthur Dawson, Harry Rush, Carol Harpster, Richard Waters, Megan Blank, and Carolee Bol — all approved unanimously, six ayes each. The council then passed Resolution 187-23, an extended tribute to Patrick's eight years as mayor, and several council members gave personal remarks recalling his steady leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, the contentious Baldwin Street "Claris" affordable-housing development, and a medical office building project straddling the Glen Ridge-Montclair line. The resolution passed unanimously, 6-0.

The meeting then moved into the borough's swearing-in ceremony: Deborah Mans took the oath as mayor for a term running 2024 through 2027, and Lori Jean Moody and David Leitz were sworn in as council members, the latter beginning his fifth term. A representative from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill's office presented congratulatory letters to the newly elected officials, and the council separately honored outgoing Library Board president Carol Harpster with a formal proclamation recounting her 20 years of service.

In the reorganized council's first business, Mayor Mans nominated Morrow as council president and the council adopted its 2024 bylaws, reappointed John Melissa as municipal attorney, confirmed board and committee appointments, set the 2024 meeting calendar, adopted holiday dates, and approved a $200,000 temporary capital-improvement appropriation and two $600 petty cash appropriations — all passing unanimously. Mayor Mans closed by outlining 2024 priorities, including a new electronic newsletter and updated borough website, expanded senior programming, a Safe Routes to School-funded pedestrian and bike safety push, a new police traffic officer program, support for library renovations, higher recycling participation, and pursuing police department reaccreditation.

What to watch

• New electronic newsletter and updated borough website planned for 2024
• Complete bicycle and pedestrian safety implementation plan and Safe Routes to School work to continue
• Police Department pursuing reaccreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police
• Borough seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on boards and committees HIGHLIGHTS:
• "we had the Claris project which started out as a difficult project for us"
• "mayor elect Deborah mans if you would please present yourself"
• "councelor elect dve Le family if you would present yourself"
• "there is a need for Capital Improvement and equipment amounting to $200,000"