Joseph Scuralli Named Council President, Council Reorganizes

Joseph Scuralli was voted as the new president of the Wayne town council as the officials reorganized for the new year Sunday afternoon.

“It’s been a great honor to learn from [Schweighardt],” Scuralli said. “Keeping nine politicians happy is not easy. This is a tremendous honor.”

Alan Purcell, Al Sadowski, Franco Mazzei, Joesph Scuralli, Chris Mcintyre and Nadine Bello were sworn in as first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ward council members, respectively. James Jimenez and Lonni Miller Ryan were sworn in as councilmembers-at-large.

Mcintyre is the only Democratic council member, and Mazzei is serving his first term, after having served on the Board of Education previously.

“I’m excited to serve the community in a new way,” Mazzei said.

For finishing out his term, Scuralli presented Joesph Schweighardt with a plaque he received in 2005 for his dedicated service as council president, and said the date would be changed to 2011.

“Joe said he didn’t want another plaque that would be funded by taxpayer dollars, so instead we’ll change this one to 2011,” Scuralli said.

The council also presented Schweighardt with a Swiss army knife engraved with his name.

Jimenez said that as a child, the thought of being able to seemed like a lofty goal.

“I never thought I’d be able to sit in this seat,” Jimenez said.

Purcell expressed his motivation to put in another year of hard work.

“I really feel energized,” he said. “I want to do more for the residents of this town.”

Sadowski said the number one issue the town faces is property tax relief.

“Getting elected is not the finish line; it’s just a checkpoint,” Sadowski said.

Bello, who controversially ran for re-election  —he was convicted of official misconduct for taking bribes while he was chairman of the Paterson Improvement Authority — said it was an honor to retain her seat for another four years.

“We all have a calling to be here, and we try to do our best,” Bello said. “I’m sure we will continue to do so.”

The council and mayor made a number of appointments at the meeting.

Mayor Chris Vergano congratulated the new council and mentioned that Wayne has received the most federal and state funding in New Jersey for buyouts.

“We need to continue to lobby for money; this is not a long-term solution to the flooding problem or the Passaic River Basin issue,” Vergano said.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to start my fifth year with these council members, who I have no doubt will address the needs of the township,” Vergano added.