Verona council reorganizes, Ryan reappointed mayor

VERONA — Councilman Kevin Ryan will continue in the role of township mayor for two more years after he won a 4-1 reappointment vote at Saturday's council reorganization meeting.

Ryan joined two first-time councilmen, Jack McEvoy and Ted Giblin, in taking the oath of office during the 9 a.m. ceremony at the Bloomfield Avenue municipal complex. McEvoy, who tallied the most votes in May's contested election, said it was a proud day for a hometown guy inspired to run for office by the needs of his neighbors.

"We're all here for the betterment of the town," Ryan said. "[Nobody] is doing this for the money."

Longtime Verona councilmembers say goodbye

Verona Inn restaurant turns 70

Verona United addresses concerns of parents

Ryan, now in his third term on the council, said the various backgrounds held by the five white councilmen will serve the town well — despite some complaints during the campaign about a lack of diversity on the ballot this spring.

Giblin moved to Verona in 2007. The son of state Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D - Essex, Passaic), Giblin said the community has been tremendously welcoming to him and his family. For that, he said he wants to give back. Giblin said he hopes push the township forward by improving services and fiscal responsibility in town hall. 

While Ryan said the mayor's role is typically rotated among the members of the council, the council reappointed Ryan in a 4-1 vote. Councilman Michael Nochimson was reappointed as deputy mayor Saturday with a 3-2 majority.

"We have just begun, and now is the time for even greater results," Nochimson said.

Ryan said the township has made "a lot of progress in the last two years."

"I think we want to keep that momentum going," he said.

Plans for his two-year mayoral term include renovating the public library and opening up Annin Lofts, a 104-unit housing development on the site of a former flag factory. It also includes keeping taxes flat for a fourth and a fifth consecutive year "without gutting services."

McEvoy and Giblin replace former councilmen Jay Sniatkowski and Bob Manley. Both decided not to run for re-election this year. The next council election is scheduled for 2019.