FAIR HAVEN – Two Democrats joined the borough council Jan. 6, altering the balance of the governing body long controlled by Republicans.
With their installation, the council is now comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans, with mayor Ben Lucarelli, a Republican, voting in the case of a tie.
Democratic newcomers Meghan Chrisner-Keefe and Michael McCue took the oath of office before a crowded room of family, friends and neighbors that night. They had defeated Republican incumbents Jonathan Peters and Jacquie Rice in the November election and will join fellow Democrat Chris Rodriguez.
The other three Republican council members are Jim Banahan, Betsy Koch and Susan Sorensen.
Sorensen was unanimously named the council president at the meeting, replacing Peters in the role.
Aside from council members, several Fair Haven residents were honored that night, including the Finnell, Ruscigno and Rhodes families, who won first, second and third place in the recent holiday lighting contest.
Lucarelli also made a special proclamation to the Dermer family. Husband and wife Dan and Elise Dermer of Fair Haven founded Dermer Dreams after their Sea Bright home was devastated in Super Storm Sandy in 2012. They were displaced from their homes and created the nonprofit to fight hunger.
“Being displaced from their home made them mindful of those families that use and depend on the shelters for basic human needs as they start or rebuild their lives,” Lucarelli said as he read the proclamation.
The nonprofit’s goal was to collect 10,000 pounds of food, but by November 2019, they collected 24,634 pounds of food.
Later, members of the fire company were recognized, especially Matthew Bufano, fire chief; Kevin Countryman, deputy chief; Nick Lenczyk, first assistant chief; and Richard Brister Jr., second assistant chief. First aid officers, water rescue team members, fire police officers and auxiliary members were also recognized, along with a list of professionals who keep the town running.
This article was first published in the January 16 – 22, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
