Story and photo by Joseph Sapia
HIGHLANDS – The borough has seen its first change of mayors in six years, as Mayor Frank Nolan passed the gavel to a former mayor, Rick O’Neil.
Over the past year or so, there has been disagreement on the nonpartisan governing body between Nolan and Councilwoman Rebecca Kane Wells on one side and on the other, council members Carolyn Broullon, Doug Card and Claudette D’Arrigo. But the organization meeting, held New Year’s Day at the Community Center, ran rather harmoniously.
Broullon was unanimously selected council president. Also, the borough attorney’s job, which had been fought over a year ago, was filled in a unanimous vote selecting Brian J. Chabarek. Broullon and Chabarek held the positions last year.
“I think it went smoothly,” said Broullon, speaking after the meeting. “I think we need to make a concerted effort to speak to each other individually. You get ideas on how to better move ahead together.”
“I think everybody at the table wants to work together,” said O’Neil, who formerly served as mayor for nine years and as a council member for six years.
O’Neil’s 15 years of elective service were not consecutive, but began in the 1990s on council, then as mayor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, finally ending his tenure as a council member at the end of 2012.
O’Neil said he and Broullon reached out to each other after he defeated Card in November for the mayor’s seat. While “harmony is hard,” the five – under Highland’s form of government, the mayor votes along with council members – are trying to get together for the benefit of the town, Broullon said.
HIGHLANDS – The borough has seen its first change of mayors in six years, as Mayor Frank Nolan passed the gavel to a former mayor, Rick O’Neil.
Over the past year or so, there has been disagreement on the nonpartisan governing body between Nolan and Councilwoman Rebecca Kane Wells on one side and on the other, council members Carolyn Broullon, Doug Card and Claudette D’Arrigo. But the organization meeting, held New Year’s Day at the Community Center, ran rather harmoniously.
Broullon was unanimously selected council president. Also, the borough attorney’s job, which had been fought over a year ago, was filled in a unanimous vote selecting Brian J. Chabarek. Broullon and Chabarek held the positions last year.
“I think it went smoothly,” said Broullon, speaking after the meeting. “I think we need to make a concerted effort to speak to each other individually. You get ideas on how to better move ahead together.”
“I think everybody at the table wants to work together,” said O’Neil, who formerly served as mayor for nine years and as a council member for six years.
O’Neil’s 15 years of elective service were not consecutive, but began in the 1990s on council, then as mayor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, finally ending his tenure as a council member at the end of 2012.
O’Neil said he and Broullon reached out to each other after he defeated Card in November for the mayor’s seat. While “harmony is hard,” the five – under Highland’s form of government, the mayor votes along with council members – are trying to get together for the benefit of the town, Broullon said.
There was some disagreement on some resolutions. Card voted no on some finance issues and on membership to the Highlands Business Partnership. Regarding the Partnership vote, Card declined to comment. But on the finance issues, Card said he was uncomfortable voting on something he wanted more information on.
Nolan introduced O’Neil as the organization began – “I think he’s going to do great things,” the outgoing mayor said.
O’Neil was sworn in by his son, Matt, 29, a former member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
“These four people (on the council) and I are going to work together for what’s best for this town,” said O’Neil, 58, a borough native who has spent most of his life in town. “Under the authority of the people, that’s how we’re going to govern, here. I’ll be the best I can possibly be.”
Nolan introduced O’Neil as the organization began – “I think he’s going to do great things,” the outgoing mayor said.
O’Neil was sworn in by his son, Matt, 29, a former member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
“These four people (on the council) and I are going to work together for what’s best for this town,” said O’Neil, 58, a borough native who has spent most of his life in town. “Under the authority of the people, that’s how we’re going to govern, here. I’ll be the best I can possibly be.”
A change that will have to be made is the spelling of O’Neil’s last name on the borough website. It was misspelled with two Ls.
Nolan spent four years on council and six years as mayor. He said he felt “satisfied” now that his tenure was over.
Nolan said he and his family have pretty much moved past the devastation of Sandy. He said his main reason for not running again was he wanted to spend more time with his wife and children, ages 12, 7 and 5.
Before the organization started, the state Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who lives in Monmouth Beach, presented a proclamation from herself and Gov. Chris Christie to Nolan. Guadagno praised Nolan for his work during 2012’s Super Storm Sandy, despite his family losing their house.
“The Highlands opened up its house to other people,” Guadagno said. “It’s only after that I learned Frank lost everything.”
Other reorganization day appointments included:
Auditor: The firm of Holman, Frenia, Allison
Bond counsel: Archer and Greiner
Zoning officer: Dale Leubner Prosecutor and alternate prosecutor:
James Butler and Steven Rubin, respectively
Public defender: Douglas J. Widman
Animal control officer: Kerry Gowan
Nolan spent four years on council and six years as mayor. He said he felt “satisfied” now that his tenure was over.
Nolan said he and his family have pretty much moved past the devastation of Sandy. He said his main reason for not running again was he wanted to spend more time with his wife and children, ages 12, 7 and 5.
Before the organization started, the state Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who lives in Monmouth Beach, presented a proclamation from herself and Gov. Chris Christie to Nolan. Guadagno praised Nolan for his work during 2012’s Super Storm Sandy, despite his family losing their house.
“The Highlands opened up its house to other people,” Guadagno said. “It’s only after that I learned Frank lost everything.”
Other reorganization day appointments included:
Auditor: The firm of Holman, Frenia, Allison
Bond counsel: Archer and Greiner
Zoning officer: Dale Leubner Prosecutor and alternate prosecutor:
James Butler and Steven Rubin, respectively
Public defender: Douglas J. Widman
Animal control officer: Kerry Gowan
