The Mantua Township Committee’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 4 saw a committeeman, the mayor and the deputy mayor sworn into office.
Taking the oath first was Committeeman John Legge, who was reelected to a three-year term in November. He was sworn in by fellow Committeeman Pete Scirrotto.
“Thank you to the citizens of Mantua for putting their faith in me to represent them for another three years,” said Legge, “and to my fellow committee persons, Jennica (Bileci), Pam (LeVine), Stuart (Platt). I look forward to serving with you again and I know each of us works hard for the members of this community.”
“I just would like to congratulate John,” Scirrotto added. “He’s definitely one of the good guys. Love you John and I’m glad you’re back up here. The township is in good hands with you. I appreciate your friendship and I’m glad I’m back siting here with you.”
Scirrotto was sworn in to another year as deputy mayor by former state Senate president Steve Sweeney. Scirrotto’s wife and two granddaughters joined him.
“I love this town,” Scirrotto said. “It’s a great town; it’s always a part of me.”
Robert Zimmerman was again sworn in as mayor by his daughter Ashley and mentioned his plans for the township in the coming year.
“Enhanced communication and transparency has been a main focus for our township committee and myself as the committee’s facilitator,” he explained. “And we’ll continue those efforts throughout 2024.
“I’m extremely proud of Mantua, like all the members of the township committee, here sitting alongside me,” he added. “We want to ensure important information is being constantly being disseminated to you, our residents, in a timely fashion. My weekly mayor’s messages in the Mantua Sun and periodic mayor video updates can be found on our township website.”
Along with Sweeney, other officials from across the state were in attendance at the meeting, including Gloucester County Commissioner Matthew Weng, state Sen. John Bertucelli, county Surrogate Giuseppe Chila, Commissioner Jim Jefferson, Commissioner Director Frank DiMarco and Assemblyman David Bailey.
Zimmerman thanked them all – and the people of Mantua – for taking the time to attend the session. He also addressed how important it is to temper the negativity in the country right now.
“There’s so much negativity that unfortunately trickles down from the national level, the politics, and we feel that it’s important (to combat it),” he noted. “Our way to combat that is to enlighten the community and let them know what a wonderful place we live in here in Mantua Township and about all the wonderful things we up here work to provide for our community and our residents.”
