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New Vernon mayor, council member sworn in

| 06 Jan 2016 | 12:30
    PHOTOS BY CHRIS WYMAN As his wife Cherie holds the Bible, with his right hand raised Harry Shortway is sworn in as VernonþÄôs new mayor by his cousin Geoffrey Castello, an attorney and partner with Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.
    PHOTOS BY CHRIS WYMAN As his wife Cherie holds the Bible, with his right hand raised Harry Shortway is sworn in as VernonþÄôs new mayor by his cousin Geoffrey Castello, an attorney and partner with Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.
    With her husband John holding the Bible, at center Councilwoman Sandra Ooms is shown being sworn into office by Assemblywoman Gale Phoebus.
    With her husband John holding the Bible, at center Councilwoman Sandra Ooms is shown being sworn into office by Assemblywoman Gale Phoebus.
    At center, Councilman Daniel Kadish is sworn in for another four-year term by Assemblywoman Gale Phoebus (right). At left, KadishþÄôs wife Carol is shown holding the Bible. Mr. Kadish is also now the Council President.
    At center, Councilman Daniel Kadish is sworn in for another four-year term by Assemblywoman Gale Phoebus (right). At left, KadishþÄôs wife Carol is shown holding the Bible. Mr. Kadish is also now the Council President.

VERNON — The New Year ushered in many changes for the leadership in the Township of Vernon, as on Jan. 1, the first day of the year, the newest members of Vernon government were sworn into office.

State Assembly Woman, Gail Phoebus, swore in the newest members of the government, new Mayor Harry J. Shortway, who defeated former Mayor Victor Marotta in the recent election and new Councilwoman Sandra Ooms, who was elected to fill the seat vacated by former Councilman Brian Lynch, who did not seek re-election.

Mayor Shortway outlined his plans for the township, including creating an Economic Advisory Committee to advise how to achieve what he refers to as the “environmental, recreational, historical and commercial goals” of the Township. As such, he emphasized the potential to utilize Open Space Funds to complete the bike trail system which would incorporate a botanical garden and farmers market into the area.

“The trail system will complete a passive recreation for a quality of life for Vernon residents.” said Shortway during his first official comments as Mayor.

Re-elected Councilman, Dan Kadish received the highest number of votes during the election. Councilman Patrick Rizzuto nominated Kadish as his replacement as sitting council president, which was ratified by the council.

Ooms received the second highest amount of votes in the November elections.

“I look forward to representing the residents of Vernon,” she said. “I wish Mayor Shortway success.”

One pressing topic immediately undertaken by the council is a potential resolution that would bar former elected official, past and present, from obtaining employment within the municipal government for a term of 1 year. The resolution was proposed by councilmembers Jean Murphy and Kadish, and was voted to be drafted and added to the agenda for the next council meeting.

“The original concept came from Andover Township,” Murphy said. “(it’s) good practice as far as transparency goes.”