By Stephen Appezzato
LITTLE SILVER – The transition to a new year following the November election was seamless as two key borough officials returned to their former posts, while one new face joined the council.
This year council member Christopher Faherty joined the dais after winning former council member Michael Holzapfel’s seat. Holzapfel retired from his post after serving two terms.
Council member Kevin Brennan took the oath of office, cementing another term on the dais, while Mayor Robert Neff followed suit, beginning his fourth term leading the borough.
The new year will feature council member Donald Galante serving as council president.
Following his swearing-in, Neff took time to thank all the borough employees, emergency service workers and volunteers who helped the borough operate smoothly in 2023.
“You all make Little Silver really special and it truly is an honor to have been sworn in – now for the fourth time, I guess – to be your mayor, and it’s extremely humbling.”
Neff also commended the borough council members for their service, looking forward to another year working together.
“They served well, they worked hard, they’re up here for all the right reasons. There aren’t any hidden agendas. It’s a pleasure to work with all of them,” Neff said.
Adding a breath of fresh air to routine reorganization meetings, Neff recited a poem he wrote to reflect on 2023 – a tradition of his. In the poem, he mentioned Ricardo the bull, who escaped captivity and trotted along NJ Transit rails in December, capturing the gaze of social media, and noted more worldly events, like ongoing foreign wars and King Charles III’s coronation in the United Kingdom. The comprehensive poem then segued into more local matters, like the story of Little Silver police officers delivering a baby on an emergency call last year.
“We wish you the best in the year that’s to come with blessings and health in reserve,” he said.
