The swearing-in ceremony, conducted by the town clerk, was a key highlight of the evening. Mayor Melissa Skabich expressed enthusiasm about the new officers joining the Cedar Grove Police Department, a sentiment echoed by Chief Pumprey, who commended the rigorous selection process overseen by Town Manager Zakali. Zakali detailed the extensive vetting of 75 candidates.

Officer Mitchell Erie, originally from New York, was the first to take the oath of office. Chief Pumprey offered a brief history of Erie’s background, mentioning his educational journey from Pearl River High School to the University of Alabama and his initial law enforcement experience with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Erie, accompanied by his family, was welcomed into the department.

Following Erie, Officer Cayenne Powell was introduced. His diverse background includes graduation from Sussex County Technical School and service as a sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard with a deployment to Somalia. After earning a degree from Montclair State University, Powell transitioned to law enforcement, first serving as a sheriff’s officer in Sussex County. His swearing-in was a moment of pride, shared with his family present at the ceremony.

The final officer to be sworn in was Edward Daly, a Cedar Grove resident with a notable military background in the United States Marine Corps. Chief Pumprey highlighted Daly’s service, where he achieved the rank of sergeant and worked in intelligence. Daly’s previous involvement with the Cedar Grove Ambulance and First Aid Squad was also noted as an asset to his new role. The ceremony concluded with Daly taking the oath, supported by his family, thus completing the introduction of the new recruits to the force.

In addition to welcoming new police officers, the council took a moment to honor Diane Nichollet for her long-standing commitment to the community, particularly through her role in the Advisory Health Council. A proclamation was read, praising her nearly three decades of volunteerism and dedication to improving public health in Cedar Grove. The council publicly acknowledged her invaluable contributions, highlighting the spirit of volunteerism that she epitomized.

The council addressed the adoption of ordinance number 25-953, a significant legislative action that dissolved the health advisory council, transferring its responsibilities to the governing body. Despite the importance of this change, no public comments were made during the meeting, and the ordinance was passed following a roll call vote.

Amidst the formal proceedings, Township Manager Zakali provided updates on various infrastructure projects. He reported the completion of road overlay work, with road markings scheduled to be painted shortly to minimize disruption. Construction on Devonshire Road South was set to commence soon, involving comprehensive curb work and a full mill and overlay.

The meeting also included critical election updates from the Township Clerk, who outlined key dates and deadlines for voter registration and early voting. Emphasizing accessibility, she announced a new early voting site in Montclair and encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming elections.

Council members took the opportunity to congratulate the newly sworn-in officers and express their appreciation for the rigorous selection process. They also paid tribute to Diane Nichollet for her service and extended condolences to the Verona community for the recent loss of a young resident.

Deputy Mayor Michele Mega reminded attendees of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the “Panthers Wear Pink” event scheduled for October 23rd. She invited the community to participate in the event, which aims to raise awareness and foster community spirit. Additionally, she mentioned a fall movie night organized by the municipal alliance committee on October 25th, encouraging families to attend.

Mayor Skabich shared updates on successful local events, such as the pumpkin and apple sale at Morgan’s Farm, and announced upcoming trips organized by the recreation department, including a visit to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and a trip to Wind Creek Casino. These activities reflect the council’s efforts to engage the community with diverse opportunities for participation and enjoyment.