Jeanne Kingsley Officially Joins Berkeley Heights Council Jan. 1

In one of the shortest meetings on township record, the Berkeley Heights township council held its reorganization meeting for 2012 in a scant 29 minutes yesterday, Jan. 1.

In attendance were Assembly members Nancy Munoz and Jon Bramnick.  

Councilman Robert Woodward and Councilwoman Jeanne Kingsley were officially sworn in. Kingsley is replacing Elaine Perna, who has stepped down from her nine years of service. 

Kevin Hall was approved to serve as council president and Craig Pastore to serve as vice president.

In an interview earlier this year, Kingsley said she was looking forward to working on three main issues: fiscal accountability, promoting shared services, and developing downtown Berkeley Heights.  

“My skill set is different from those who have served on the Council previously,” said Kingsley. "I have significant budgeting, forecasting and capital planning experience, and I believe my strongest ability is to look at situations with an eye toward the long term,” said Kingsley.

Kingsley says she understands the challenges facing her hometown.

“Considering the current budget restraints that everyone is feeling, our goal should be fiscal responsibility and accountability and that means keeping capital expenditures and salaries down, and working with Trenton on policies and laws that truly serve our towns,” said Kingsley.

She said she also believes 'shared services' is key in the current economy. 

Mayor Joseph Bruno said Kingsley's deep background in finance is what attracted her to voters. 

"We have a pretty high level of talent on our council when it comes to finance and budgets and I think she is going to be a fantastic resource for us," Bruno said.

He said, "She has great ideas about how to make money and increase our income outside of taxation. She's a thinker and a doer."

Bruno said he is committed to employing a business approach to government.

He said yesterday the township signed an agreement with Millburn to utilize its animal control services saving Berkeley Heights $22,000 annually.

He also said the township also plans to add about 30 commuter parking spaces behind the municipal building which will increase annual revenue by $12,000.

Kingsley agrees with Bruno that development of the downtown area is another important issue that needs energy and attention.

“We really need to work to bring parties together, landowners and business owners – and encourage both to work together on a shared vision for the downtown area,” said Kingsley.

Bruno said a meeting will be held sometime in early February 2012 with local business owners and landlords to discuss the possibilitiy of creating a Special Improvement District which would qualify the township for state grants to improve and beautify the downtown business area.