News
Marchese, Lucarelli, Take Council Seats In Fair Haven - Jim Cerruti Sworn in as New Fire Chief
By Ryan Fennell
FAIR HAVEN - The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fair Haven held its annual reorganization meeting at noon on January 1, 2010.
The meeting began with Mayor Michael Halfacre and the Borough Council recognizing several individuals who have served the community through the years.
First, the council recognized outgoing Councilman Christopher Rinn, who chose not to seek re-election and was not in attendance, for his term of service on the Borough Council.
Halfacre then recognized outgoing planning board member Douglass Anderson for his years of service on the planning board where he served as Chairman in 2008 and was re-elected Chairman in 2009.
Halfacre also recognized the many years of dedication to environmental issues by longtime Fair Haven resident Dery Bennett who recently passed away.
The swearing in of Councilman Robert Marchese and Councilman Benjamin Lucarelli followed the presentations.
"It's fantastic," Marchese said. "I'm humbled by the faith people placed in me and I look forward to working with the current council members and push for things I campaigned on like tax discounts, school safety, and more bike paths in town."
"I'm really excited and I'm fortunate to be working with the rest of the council members," Lucarelli said. "I'm looking forward to working with them. We have huge challenges ahead but we have great talent here on the council."
The next order of business was for the council to elect its council president for 2010.
Last year, Councilman Jonathan Peters was elected Council President after Halfacre broke a tie vote between Peters and Councilman Jerome Koch with a coin flip.
"I didn't bring my quarter this year, gentlemen," Halfacre quipped before the nominations.
Peters received the only nomination for Council President and was duly re-elected for 2010.
Most of the residents in attendance were on hand for the swearing in ceremony of Fair Haven Fire Company's 2010 line officers.
Fire Chief Jim Cerruti was officially sworn in as the Fire Company's chief for 2010. Cerruti received a raucous ovation after officially assuming the responsibilities of Chief.
Cerruti had been the acting Fire Chief since November after former Fire Chief Shaun Foley resigned the position.
Foley resigned as Fire Chief after crashing the Fire Chief's vehicle, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, left the scene of the accident, and ultimately leapt off the Oceanic Bridge, which resulted in a massive rescue effort that included the U.S. Coast Guard.
Foley has since been charged with Failure to Report an Accident, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Reckless Driving, and Driving While Intoxicated.
Filling the remaining line officer positions under Cerruti is Deputy Chief Wade Davis, First Assistant Chief William Heath, and Second Assistant Chief Derek DeBree.
Fair Haven's 2010 reorganization meeting also saw the creation of a Centennial Committee. The Borough has formed a non-profit 501c3 organization in order to prepare for its centennial anniversary in 2012. The committee currently consists of Halfacre, Patricia Drummond, Borough Administrator Mary Howell, Chris Brenner, Charlie Hoffman and Lawrence Quigley.
Halfacre said the purpose of the committee is to guide the borough toward its centennial anniversary and celebration. Halfacre added that the committee is in its beginning stages and welcomed anyone that would like to volunteer to contact Borough Hall.
