Tom Connolly’s resignation took effect on Dec. 6 at 12:01 a.m. He submitted his letter of resignation to the governing body at the
Monday night mayor and council meeting.
Connolly said his new job title as the Bergen County road supervisor is very demanding and has him working many hours.
“Unfortunately with council work, you have to talk to people during the day,” said Connolly on Wednesday, who has served the
borough for nearly 11 years. “I could not make that commitment anymore to do that work during the day.”
Connolly’s term expires at the end of 2012.
As the roads supervisor, Connolly is in charge of maintaining the road systems for 70 municipalities.
“It’s a big responsibility,” Connolly said.
“It’s not fair to the other council people and it’s not fair to me because I couldn’t make the time commitment,” said Connolly. In his the letter he submitted, he wrote, “…I am stepping aside to allow an appropriate replacement to complete my term of office.”
In his 11 years as a council member, Connolly was instrumental in finishing the downtown streetscape project, the railroad depot renovation and the renovation to the Department of Public Works building, which the DPW workers will move into next week. This year, in addition to serving as council president, Connolly served as the chairman of the DPW Public Utilities and Recycling Committee, a member of the Public Buildings, Real Estate and Ordinance Committee and the council liaison to the Environmental Commission and Recreation Commission.
“He did his fair share for the borough and pulled his weight on the council,” said Mayor Raymond Cywinski, a Republican.
The mayor said that Connolly served the borough’s residents very well and did a lot for the community.
“We didn’t always agree,” said Cywinski, “But when we disagreed, it was on a respectful basis.”
Connolly said he appreciates the residents for supporting him for four elections.
“I thank the citizens of Demarest for their confidence and belief in electing me four times as a Councilman, and will make myself available as necessary to successfully complete current initiatives in which I have been involved, and to prepare my successor to serve in the coming year,” wrote Connolly.
Connolly said he is looking forward to coming back to local government after he retires from his job and is able to dedicate the necessary hours to the borough.
“My work here is done,” said Connolly. “When I retire, I’ll be glad to come back.”
The Democratic Municipal Committee has 15 days to present the names of three different people to the council. The council then has 30 days to pick one of the three nominees to replace Connolly.
E-mail: baskind@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6723
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