Berkeley Swears in New Mayor on Sunday

Mayor-Elect Carmen F. Amato Jr. says his new administration will be more open and accessible to the public once he takes over on New Year's Day.     "I want to be a hands-on mayor," Amato said. He plans to hold either monthly or quarterly town meetings in various sections of the township, so residents bring problems to officials without having to wait until a Township Council meeting. Amato also plans to replace almost all of outgoing Democratic Mayor Jason J. Varano's professional team when he is sworn in on New Year's Day. "I want to bring in people I'm comfortable with," he said. "Like-minded people I've dealt with in the past. It's typical when there is a new administration. You bring in people you are comfortable with." He announced several of those appointments today. Longtime Township Engineer Chris Theodos will be replaced by Alan Dittenhofer of Remington, Vernick & Vena Engineers. Outgoing Township Attorney Patrick Sheehan will be replaced by the Toms River law firm of Gilmore and Monahan. George R. Gilmore, who is also the Republican Party chief in Ocean County, will be the primary attorney, but will be assisted by others in his firm. Amato stressed that the appointments were his to make and that Gilmore had not pressured him on any of his choices. Longtime Township Planner David Roberts will be replaced by James M. Oris of T&M Associates. But Roberts will stay on for awhile as a consultant in the fight to get the state to approve the plan for the Town Center, Amato said. "Dave Roberts wrote the book on the redevelopment process," Amato said. "These are two people that know what needs to be done." Gilmore's connections at the state level and with Gov. Chris Christie may also help with the plan approval, said Amato. "We need to be very aggressive on the plan endorsement for the Town Center," he said. "That's one of the reasons T&M is coming in. We are not going to miss a beat." Amato is still interviewing candidates for the position of township administrator and has not yet made his choice. So far he has received eight applications, he said. "We have a lot of applications, a lot of qualified people," Amato said. "I'm still interviewing." Amato wants the incoming Township Council members to be involved in the selection process. "I don't think I'll be naming an administrator until February," he said. "I want to get it right and make sure everyone is involved." In the meantime, current Chief Financial Officer Frederick Ebenau will take over the administrator duties, Amato said. Amato narrowly ousted Varano - who was seeking his fourth term - by 248 votes out of nearly 14,000 cast. His Republican Township Council running mates - John Bacchione, Robert Ray and Thomas Grosse, will also be sworn in on Jan. 1. That will still leave two vacancies on the Township Council that need to be filled. Council President Karen Davis is resigning effective Dec. 31 because of health concerns. Amato's Ward 2 council position will also have to be filled.     Courtesy of Berkeley Patch