BOONTON — The Town of Boonton conducted its reorganization meeting on January 1, during which the following individuals were sworn into office by Township Clerk Elizabeth Bonsiewich:
- James Lynch as Mayor
- John Meehan as First Ward Council Member
- Jacob Hettrick as Second Ward Council Member
- Robert Murray as Third Ward Council Member
- Alexis Minson as Fourth Ward Council Member
Click here to download the agenda.
Mayor James Lynch Addresses Overflow Crowd with the Following Speech:
I’d like to welcome you all, thank you for joining us, and wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions but for your sake and mine, I’ve made one that I intend to keep. I resolve to keep this brief.
I would like to recognize the following dignitaries joining us today – Boonton-born and raised Sen Anthony Bucco, Boonton’s own Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon, Boonton High graduate and long-serving County Commissioner Doug Cabana, Boonton-born and raised Retired County Commissioner Administrator John Bonanni, County Commissioner Director John Krickus, incoming County Commissioner Director Christine Meyers, County Commissioner Steve Shaw, County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo, County Commissioner Deb Smith, Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assemblyman Brian Bergen, Assemblyman Jay Webber and Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling
Welcome and congratulate John Meehan, Ward 1 Council Member; Jake Hettrich Ward 2 Council Member, Rob Murray Ward 3 Council Member, and Alexis Minson Ward 4 Council Member.
I would also like to recognize and thank recently retired Town Clerk Cindy Oravitz. I hope you are still in your PJs with your feet up enjoying your first real day of retirement.
I previously served as an Alderman and council member for nine years under three different mayors. They all operated differently and I learned from each of them. I learned from their successes and their missteps. I would describe each as smart, passionate, and hard-working. While these descriptions are admirable, they, along with good intentions, don’t guarantee successful governing. It is also important to know what you don’t know and to ask for help when needed. Accordingly, I have assembled a group of three well-respected individuals with far more experience in the public sector and far greater success and responsibilities in the private sector to serve as an advisory panel. I intend to consult with them and seek their guidance and counsel. It is also important to have a trusting, supportive, collaborating governing body. To promote this, I pledge to each member of our Council to be open, honest, and respectful. I expect the same from each of you. I look forward to working with all of you. Together, we can be successful and accomplish much.
In keeping with my resolution, I won’t bore you with the issues I’d like to address, but do know, that I intend to Stay True to Boonton’s Past and Embrace its Future while doing my best to justify the confidence and support the voters have placed in me.
I’d be remiss, and likely sleeping and unfed on the couch, if I did not mention my family, four generations of which are here today. Thank you for sharing me with the town and putting up with the moods that will likely ensue. I especially want to acknowledge my wife, Debbie. She grew up in the Township, is a Boonton High graduate, the daughter and granddaughter of Boonton Township mayors, and now the wife of Boonton’s.
Again, thank you all for coming and please accept my wishes for a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year.
Boonton is designated as a Town and is therefore governed by a Mayor and Town Council. The Town is divided geographically into four wards with two Council Members elected per ward. Each ward contains two districts, hence two Council Members. The Mayor serves a 4-year term and is elected by residents from all four wards. Council Members serve a 2-year term and are elected by the residents of their specific ward. Therefore, the governing body is a nine-member board that includes the Mayor and eight Council Members (two per ward). This will be important to know should you need to contact your Council Member (or the Mayor) with any issues you would like to address.
