Kenilworth Planning Board reelects Picerno, appoints 2026 professionals and honors longtime planner Kevin O’Brien

Kenilworth — The Kenilworth Planning Board held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 6 at Kenilworth Borough Hall, electing Rich Picerno as chair, confirming a vice chair and approving the board’s professional appointments for 2026.

The session opened with the clerk’s statement that the board complied with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (chapter 231, Public Law 1975) and with the Pledge of Allegiance. The chair described the meeting as the board’s annual reorganization, not a regular board meeting, and read mayoral appointments into the record, including Michael Scuderi (Class 2, term to 12/31/2026), Rich Picerno (Class 4, term to 12/31/2029), Frank Mazzeo (Class 4, term to 12/31/2029) and alternates Luis D’Mondo and Daniel Concoli (terms to 12/31/2027).

After the roll call established a quorum, members moved and approved the election of Picerno as chair by roll-call vote. The board also approved the nominated vice chair in a subsequent roll-call vote.

The board approved a slate of 2026 professionals. A motion to appoint the firm recorded in the minutes as "Higher Gruel and Associates" as the planning board planner for 2026 carried on a roll-call vote; the planner, who asked to be called "Mika," was invited to sit at the board table. The board also moved to appoint the law firm identified in the meeting record as "Scarini, in Halibach," with Patrick DeMarco representing the firm this evening, as board attorney. Center State Engineering was approved as the board engineer with Mr. Russo and Mr. Massey named as representatives; Darren Mazze (Center State) took his seat with the board. Marco Antonio was approved as the board videographer for the year.

Chair Picerno presented a proclamation honoring Kevin O’Brien of Shamrock Enterprises for 29 years of service as the borough’s planning board planner. O’Brien accepted the recognition and said, "It's been my pleasure to serve this borough and its people," and that he hoped to continue by assisting with completion of the master plan despite recent health issues.

Public comment was brief. Tony Faserno (241 Feitou Avenue) thanked O’Brien for mentoring local officials, saying, "Any knowledge I have and had was from you to explain everything in such clarity to help me make the best decisions I could for the borough of Kenilworth." Suzanne Kringcoli (45 North 10th Street) congratulated the new members and O’Brien on his retirement and said she looked forward to working more closely with the borough.

The chair closed the public portion and the board adjourned.

What happens next: Several appointees who were absent at the start of the meeting (including Michael Scuderi) will be sworn in at a later meeting or as noted in the record.