Bello Picked as Wayne Council President for 2013

Councilwoman Nadine Bello was elected council president for 2013 at the township’s annual reorganization meeting on Wednesday.

Bello, who represents the 6th Ward, was unanimously elected to the position. She thanked her colleagues for their support and said she will “work hard to represent all of the residents of Wayne.

“Thank you for your support and confidence in me,” Bello said.

In his annual State of the Township address, Mayor Chris Vergano said that Wayne is not facing a “fiscal cliff” and that “this administration and this Council have worked together long and hard during the past five years under my tenure to make sure that our financial house would remain in order and I feel that we have accomplished that goal.” (A copy of Vergano’s speech has been attached to this article.)

Vergano, now in his 6th year as mayor, also highlighted the ongoing recovery of Police Officer Bob Franco.

“He truly is the miracle man of 2012 and has the most positive outlook on life that I have ever witnessed,” Vergano said. “I truly believe that one day he will return to the Police Department and we wish him all the best [with] his recovery.”

The township will purchase 17 more flood-prone homes in the Hoffman Grove section of town. This is in addition to dozens of homes that have been purchased and knocked down already.

Vergano said the township has made offers to purchase 65 homes in flood areas under the federal government’s Severe Repetitive Loss Program. The township will use $20 million to purchase the homes, which will then be knocked down, and the land they are on will be left to nature.

Fifty-seven homes are also be purchased by the state through the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program.

Steven Toth, assistant chief of Company 2, was sworn in as fire commissioner. His appointment to that position is for two years.

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