Outgoing Council Honors Retiring Historic Preservation and Zoning Volunteers, Councilor Lisovicz

In a brief adjourned meeting on January 3, 2022, held immediately before a swearing-in ceremony for incoming officials, Glen Ridge's outgoing Mayor and Council passed a series of unanimous commendation resolutions recognizing departing volunteer board members.

The council commended Gregory Switzer and Sarah Githens for their service on the Historic Preservation Commission, and gave special recognition to Peter Herrigel, who chaired the commission from 2011 (after serving as vice chair from 2010) following his appointment to the board in 2006 by then-Mayor Carl Bergmanson. During his tenure, Herrigel oversaw the expansion of Glen Ridge's Historic District to cover roughly 90% of the borough and the publication of the commission's first Historic Design Guidelines. The council also passed a resolution presented "in honor and memory" of Scott Velechko, a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, indicating the resolution was a posthumous tribute.

Mayor Patrick, Borough Administrator Michael Zichelli, Borough Attorney John Malyska, and Police Chief Sean Quinn all separately thanked outgoing Councilor Joan Lisovicz for fourteen years of service on the Borough Council, with council members saying he would be missed.

All resolutions passed unanimously, with all six councilors present and none absent. The meeting was then adjourned "sine die" -- meaning with no set date to reconvene, since it marked the end of the outgoing council's term -- so a swearing-in ceremony for the incoming council could begin immediately afterward.

What to watch

• The swearing-in ceremony for the incoming Borough Council, held immediately following this meeting