Kenilworth swears in two council members, confirms reorganization votes and appoints borough attorney

Kenilworth Borough Council on May 20, 2025 swore in Joseph Finistrella and Douglas G. Piper as council members, approved its reorganization motions including the consent agenda, and adopted a resolution appointing Semireo and Farney LLC as borough attorney.

The council administered the oaths of office for Joseph Finistrella and Douglas G. Piper at the start of the meeting. Bill Spadia performed the oath for the councilmen-elect. After the oaths, the council completed its reorganization business, including a unanimous roll-call approval of Resolution 25-2 (qualifying professional services) and Resolution 25-3, appointing the law firm Semireo and Farney LLC to serve as borough attorney.

The reorganization included a motion to set the council president for the year. Councilman Morrow moved to nominate senior councilman Sabino Scorici as council president; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. The council moved the entire consent agenda by a single motion; the minutes record that the consent agenda encompassed resolutions numbered 24-4 through 25-58 and that those items were adopted together.

Mayor (presiding officer) read a statement that the open public meeting act notice requirement had been satisfied and called the roll before the business portion of the meeting. The council also recorded appointments to the planning board under state statute NJSA 40:55D-23: the mayor appointed Michael Scuderi, Larry Clemente, Nick Pantina, Joseph Calero and Robert Camaldi to the planning board, as announced on the record.

Senator Joe Crier, attending as a guest during public comment, congratulated the council on the reorganization and on the unanimous vote for council leadership: "It's a big honor. I'm a nice unanimous vote. Way to start," he said. The mayor and council exchanged congratulations with the newly seated members.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-2 (qualifying professional services): approved by roll call (unanimous among members present). - Resolution 25-3 (appointing Semireo and Farney LLC as borough attorney): approved by roll call (unanimous among members present). - Consent agenda (resolutions 24-4 through 25-58): adopted by single motion and roll-call vote (unanimous among members present). - Planning board appointments (pursuant to NJSA 40:55D-23): appointments announced by the mayor for Michael Scuderi, Larry Clemente, Nick Pantina, Joseph Calero and Robert Camaldi; appointments recorded on the public record.

The council recorded each consent item in the meeting minutes and closed the public-comment period before concluding the meeting with a benediction and an adjournment motion. No ordinances were introduced at this meeting, according to the record.

The meeting record includes the certification statement that the Union County clerk had certified election results for newly elected council seats and that the swearing-in covers three-year council terms; the clerk named on the record was Joe Arnaudjabi.