The Mayor, as chief executive officer of the Borough, is responsible for the enforcement of all New Jersey laws and regulations of the Borough of Ridgefield as defined by ordinance. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term and is eligible for re-election. The Mayor presides over all meetings of the Council but may vote only in case of a tie. The Mayor has veto power, which may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Council; makes appointments to standing committees, commissions, boards and ad hoc committees (most of them requiring Council consent); and is automatically a member of the Planning Board, Library Board and the Board of Police Commissioners.
The Mayor appoints Ridgefield citizens to serve without pay on boards, commissions and advisory committees. Boards and commissions, which are mandated and regulated by state law, may set policy and act independently of the Mayor and Council. Advisory committees make recommendations to the Council. Some committees are formed annually while other special committees are convened periodically to study specific short-term problems or issues.
The Council consists of six members. Two are elected at large each year for three-year terms. As the legislative body, the Council adopts ordinances and resolutions, decides on appropriations, approves appointments made by the Mayor, determines policy, and establishes the functions of the various departments of the local government. Three Council members, one being Chairperson in each, belong to each standing committees: Finance and Administration, Parks and Recreation, Police, Office of Emergency Management and Municipal Court, Department of Public Works; Buildings and Grounds; Street Lighting, Health and Welfare, Fire Department and Ambulance Corps., Library, Communications, Transportation, Election, and Redevelopment. Council members also serve as liaisons with other committees, commissions and boards.
Anthony R. Suarez, Mayor
Term expires December 31, 2011
Planning Board Member
Police, Office of Emergency Management, and Municipal Court
Nicholas Lonzisero, Council President
Term expires December 31, 2010
Finance and Administration
Chairman, Police, Office of Emergency Management, and Municipal Court
Department of Public Works, Buildings and Grounds, and Street Lighting
Chairman, Communications
Transportation
Board of Adjustment Liaison
Angus Todd, Councilman
Term expires December 31, 2009
Police, Office of Emergency Management, and Municipal Court
Chairman, Health and Welfare
Chairman, Fire Department and Ambulance Corps.
Chairman, Library
Chairman, Elections
Environmental Commission Liaison
Warren Vincentz, Councilman
Term expires December 31, 2009
Chairman, Finance and Administration
Chairman, Parks and Recreation
Police, Office of Emergency Management, and Municipal Court
Fire Department and Ambulance Corps.
Communications
Chairman, Transportation
Elections
Rent Leveling Commission Liaison
Board of Local Assistance Liaison
Board of Education Liaison
Angelo Severino, Councilman
Term expires December 31, 2010
Finance and Administration
Parks and Recreation
Chairman, Department of Public Works, Buildings and Grounds, Street Lighting
Health and Welfare
Fire Department and Ambulance Corps.
Library
Transportation
Elections
Planning Board Member
Youth Commission Liaison
Russell Castelli, Councilman
Term expires December 31, 2011
Parks and Recreation
Health and Welfare
Communications
Javier Acosta, Councilman
Term expires December 31, 2011
Department of Public Works, Buildings and Grounds, Street Lighting
Library