Petracco Takes the Reigns as Mayor of Nutley
• He Dedicates His Election to the 'Average Man and Woman'
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
May 16, 2012 – Mayor Alphonse Petracco's first remarks reigns to the citizens of Nutley, shortly after taking the oath of office at noon yesterday were to announce that he was dedicating his next four years to the "average man and woman - those average people like you and me who get up every morning and work hard to make this the great community it is."
Nutley's new Mayor continues his "average man and woman" theme while commending his fellow commissioners and offering a warm welcome to Steve Rogers who was sworn in for the first time before being appointed as the new director of the Public Affairs Dept.
Mayor Petracco told the audience of about 250 persons at the noon ceremonies that he and his fellow commissioners were pledged to serve, "not because to benefit or help anyone of us, but because what we do is all abut you. We serve because we all care about this town very much."
Nearly half of yesterday's 90 minute meeting was taken up with routine but required votes re-affirming the responsibilities of the five municipal departments and complying with other mandated legalities.
But once the technical legalities and the families and special guests in the audience were introduced the commissioners were to offer individual observations.
Public Works Commissioners Dr. Joseph Scarpelli, who trailed Petracco by 13 votes in last week's election, introduced his father, retired Commissioner Peter Scarpelli, and then noted that his late grandfather also ran for the commission in 1964.
"My father served for 24 years and helped me in my campaign," Dr. Scarpelli said. His deceased grandfather could have helped too, he said, and then looking skyward at the ceiling he called he "Hey Gramps, come on now, only 13 votes. The audience laughed not once but twice when a few seconds later Mayor Petracco said "not 13 votes Joe -- It takes 14 votes to win."
The meeting then moved on as newly elected commissioner Steve Rogers was sworn in for the first time as the Public Affairs Director. Commissioners Mauro Tucci and Tom Evans took oaths to serve for the next four years in the Parks & Recreation and Revenue & Finance departments respectively.
Several appointments and re-appointments were ratified by the newly installed commissioners.
A roar of applause came when Mayor Petracco said that it was "with great that I read this resolution appointing Joanne Cocchiola as our municipal judge for a three-year term effective May 15. Judge Cocchiola, standing at the opposite end of the commission chambers, waved to the crowd but did not speak. Needless to say, the resolution appointing Judge Cocchiola was adopted unanimously.
Among the many reappointments yesterday were those of Evelyn Rosario as township clerk, Kevin Hawkins as township attorney, and Alan Genitempo as prosecutor and assistant township attorney.
Finance Director Tom Evans noted the challenges facing the township in dealing with the retreating ratables of properties owned by Roche and the challenge of revitalizing Nutley's downtown district. "My hope is that we will have the vision of our forefathers to attain our goals in the revitalization effort of our downtown district," Evans said.
Commissioner Tucci said he was appreciative to townspeople "for their faith and trust for my being elected to a fourth term." He thanked his wife, Linda, and his brother and business partner, Gerard.
Tucci said he would continue his 12-years' service with work in the Parks Department. "Working together, Nutley will continue to be the wonderful community it is," Tucci said.
Commissioners adjourned their midday organizational meeting at 1:30 p.m.but were back at work last night for the first "regular" session that was highlighted by formal adoption of the township's 2012 budget totaling $49,244,815.89.
Commissioner Evans last night announced that design work has been completed in a redesign of parking spaces along Vincent Place in the vicinity of the Nutley Library. The new design will provide for five additional parking spaces and the area will be rezoned to permit 90-minute parking instead of the current hour-long restriction.
Commissioners last night also appropriated $186,000 for another artificial-turf recreational field at Monsignor Owens Park.
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5.
