Tinton Falls Council reappoints leadership, approves slate of board and commission nominees

Tinton Falls Borough Council held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 7 at Burrow Hall, where members elected Risa Clay as council president and reappointed Dr. Lawrence Dobrin as deputy council president, then approved multiple resolutions appointing members to town boards and commissions.

The reorganization meeting set leadership for 2025 and finalized appointments to planning, historic preservation, shade tree, environmental and zoning bodies. Council members voted by roll call on each nomination and on a consent agenda that bundled remaining routine items.

Council President Risa Clay and Deputy Council President Dr. Lawrence Dobrin took the oath of office during a brief swearing-in ceremony after nominations and roll-call votes. A swearing-in oath was administered on the dais before the council moved on to appointments.

The council then approved nominations to the planning board, historic preservation commission, Shade Tree Commission, environmental commission and the borough's green team, among other bodies. Appointees and their term expirations were read into the record by the clerk and approved in separate votes or by the consent agenda.

During public comment, resident Ellen Goldberg of 90 Glenwood Drive welcomed newly seated Councilman Greg Alessi and praised the library and the return of the Shade Tree Commission. Goldberg suggested expanding the borough's Hanukkah observance beyond a brief lighting ceremony: "It would be nice if there was something a little bit more for the Hanukkah celebration," she said.

Votes at a glance

- Council president nomination: Risa Clay — Approved by unanimous roll-call vote of council members present. - Deputy council president nomination: Dr. Lawrence Dobrin — Approved by unanimous roll-call vote of council members present. - R25-1, appointing members to the Environmental Commission (Stephen Surman, Ryn Masello, Tatiana Swendith as alternate No. 1; terms noted in the record) — Approved by roll-call vote. - R25-2, appointing members to the Green Team (names and 1-year terms read into record) — Approved by roll-call vote. - R25-3, appointment of class 3 member to the Planning Board (Councilman Michael J. Nessie, 1-year term ending 12/31/2025) — Approved by roll-call vote. - R25-4, appointing members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (William Kuzmin, Steven Porzio, Michael Mercia as alternate No. 2; terms noted in the record) — Approved by roll-call vote. - R25-5, appointment of liaisons to committees (Board of Education liaison: Councilwoman Risa Clay; Environmental Commission liaison: Councilwoman Tracy Buckley; Library liaison: Councilman Dr. Lawrence Dobrin; Historic Commission liaison: Councilwoman Tracy Buckley; Zoning Board liaison: Councilman Greg Alessi) — Approved by roll-call vote. - Consent agenda (routine minutes/resolutions as listed in the meeting packet) — Approved by unanimous roll-call vote.

Council members present recorded their votes on each roll-call as "Yes." The clerk read each resolution title and term expirations aloud before votes were taken. Several items were described on the record as "unexpired" terms or with explicit expiration dates (for example, Shade Tree Commission members with unexpired terms through 12/31/2025–2028 and a five-year appointment through 12/31/2029 for one member).

The meeting concluded after the appointments and approval of the consent agenda. Council adjourned at 8:03 p.m.