Clark Township council appoints Angel Albanese as mayor; council leadership reconfigured

Angel Albanese was appointed mayor of Clark Township and sworn into office during the council’s Jan. 21 meeting after a unanimous roll-call vote.

The council voted to appoint Albanese to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Sal Bonacorso; Albanese will serve until the November election when voters choose a permanent replacement to finish the unexpired term. The appointment motion was made by a council member and seconded before the clerk called a roll that recorded “yes” votes from the members present.

The swearing-in was administered at the podium. Albanese recited the oath of office and accepted the responsibilities of mayor for the township. Council members immediately moved to reorganize leadership: William F. Smith was elected council president and Stephen Hunt was elected council vice president, and each took the oath for their new roles.

Mayor Albanese thanked volunteers and department staff in brief remarks later in the meeting and delivered reports (including a library update) as mayor. Council members congratulated Albanese and praised her municipal experience; one council member noted Albanese’s longtime service on the council and prior municipal finance experience.

Council members and township officials explained the process for filling the newly vacant council seat created when Albanese moved to the mayor’s office: because the Republican municipal committee holds the governing-party slots, the committee has 30 days to nominate three candidates; the council then has 15 days to choose one of those nominees to serve until the November election, when voters will decide the longer-term occupant of the seat.

The council’s actions at the reorganization portion of the meeting were procedural and took effect immediately; no contested votes or dissent were recorded on the appointment or…