Council swears in incumbents, new city clerk

Written by Lauren Suit Thursday, January 03, 2013 08:03 pm

Municipal Court Judge Louis Belasco administers the oath of office to Council President Patrick Rosenello as his son Blake holds the Bible. Rosenello's son Gavin, his wife Michelle, and youngest son Peyton stand by his side.  

NORTH WILDWOOD - Mayor Bill Henfey announced during the city's annual reorganization that he will not seek re-election when his term expires at the end of this year.

He said the announcement doesn't mean that he plans to slack off during his last year in office.

"We have to keep moving the city forward," Henfey said.

Council started the new year by voting on 35 resolutions, including those to appointing city solicitor, municipal prosecutor, engineering services, city auditor and appointing the city clerk.

The annual appointments had only one change from the past year.

Scott Jett, who was the city's deputy clerk since 2009, replaces Janet Harkins, who officially retired on Jan. 1. Harkins had worked for the city for 30 years, and the last 12 years as the city clerk.

"Janet was a great teacher for me and let me get the necessary experience to feel comfortable in taking over for her," said Jett. "I can't imagine anyone being a better boss than she was for me."

Jett, 48, has been an employee of the city since 2006, before that he was a teacher at Absegami High School. He is a lifelong resident of North Wildwood.

"It all kind of fell into place," Jett said of his new role in government. "This is something that I'm comfortable with and that I know I can do well."

Councilman Ed Koehler said that Jett scored the highest in his group when he took the required state certification test.

"That says a lot," said Koehler.

Municipal Court Judge Louis Belasco administered the oath of office as Scott's wife Juanita held the Bible and other family members crowded around.

"Even the grandkids," he joked.

Jett's daughter Katherine Jett sang the National Anthem at the start of the meeting.

Jett also had his late father's police badge with him during swearing in ceremony. Jett said his father, William Jett, was a sergeant with the city's police department at the time of his death in a hunting accident in 1974.

Also at the reorganization, Council President Patrick Rosenello was sworn in after running unopposed in the city's general election in November. He was also reappointed to serve as council president.

"You can have your hammer back now," Henfey said after council voted on Rosenello's appointment and returned the council president's gavel.

Rosenello said he plans to run for the mayor’s job following Henfey’s decision not to run for another term as mayor in the 2013 election. Rosenello, 40, was first elected to council in 2003 and took office in January 2004, and has been council president for the past eight years.

Jim Kane, a Republican, was not present at the meeting due to illness. He was appointed to the council in May, after the death of councilman Rick Ogen. The 2012 election was the first time that Kane, a committeeman for the North Wildwood Republican Committee ran for a full term on council. Henfey said that Kane would be sworn in to office as soon as he was healthy enough to make it to the city clerk's office.

Councilwoman Kellyann Tolomeo was named president pro tempore. Votes for both Rosenello and Tolomeo were unanimous. Councilman Koehler nominated each.

The council has been made up entirely of Republicans since 2011.

Newly sworn in City Clerk Scott Jett with his wife Juanita Jett.

City Clerk Scott Jett's daughter Katherine Jett sang the National Anthem at the start of the reorganization meeting.