The Alternative Press

MADISON, NJ – Jerry Mantone, Acting Police Chief for 2012, was recognized at the Oct. 10 Madison borough council meeting for his contributions to the community.

Several people paid tributes, including Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto, Board of Education President Lisa Ellis, Mayor Robert Conley, councilman Robert Landrigan and Councilwoman Carmela Vitale.

“You’ve always been there for us,” Ellis said. “It was more than a job.  The kids needed a friend more than a cop and you give them a positive view.  You’ll always be Officer Jerry to us all.”

Mayor Conley praised his 34 years of service and his efforts with Project Pride to “help kids get back on track.” He noted Mantone was a Madison High School Graduate, attended Morris County College and Kean University, with a Master’s from Fairleigh Dickinson University and participated in the West Point Leadership class. Vitale recalled running for council with Mantone’s father. Officer Darren Dachesen will step in as Acting Police Chief.

The mayor announced that $1.3 million from the state’s Green Acres fund will be released for the 49 acres of the Madison Recreation Center. In a visit to Trenton, he said he expressed concerns about a bill that would exempt private universities from needing borough zoning approval. “We’ve always had a good working relationship with Drew University and this is not in the best interests of the State of New Jersey,” he said.

The council adopted a resolution to remove an underground storage tank at the borough hall, not to exceed $44,000 for environmental engineering services. Resident Sam Cerciello asked why it had not been removed several years ago when renovations were made to the building. City Administrator Ray Codey explained that the plan was to remove it at that time if the elevator had been installed at the rear of the building. But when the elevator location was changed to be adjacent to the courtroom, the tank was not removed.

The council also approved the introduction of ordinances to appropriate two pole-mounted speed monitors at $9,000; two dispatcher chairs at $3,000 and a crime scene camera for $2,000. The purchases will be made from the capital improvement fund.

The council voted to rescind an ordinance for parking two private recreational vehicles at the public works yard.  Mayor Conley suggested a presentation be made at the upcoming hearing to determine liability issues and whether this would be a hardship on the residents involved. Codey said the borough could be liable if anything happened to the vehicles on public property.

Members of the Sustainable Madison Committee addressed the council on safe routes to school, noting that encouraging walking and biking will help reduce green house gas emissions and that trans-options are funded by the state. Walk to School Days and the Walking School Bus are being promoted in partnership with the Board of Education and other organizations.