BRADLEY BEACH — With the new year came two new faces on the dais at Bradley Beach Borough Council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, with Al Gubitosi being sworn into the office of mayor in a jam-packed borough hall.
Gubitosi won election over challenger William Psiuk in November and was officially sworn in alongside his wife, children and grandchildren. Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul (D-11), who is related to Gubitosi through marriage, administered the oath of office to him as family members and residents alike watched.
“I just want to come from the heart and say to everyone here, thank you for the support not only for me personally, for this council, for your commitment to Bradley Beach and your passion for Bradley Beach. We are here to serve the residents and I know at times that message may have been blurred… but I know for a fact these five people, including myself, are here to serve the residents,” Gubitosi told the public at the conclusion of the New Year’s Day meeting.
Shana Greenblatt, who won a one-year unexpired term on the borough council in November, was also sworn into her seat on the council by Peterpaul.
Greenblatt prevailed over challenger Donald Warnet in the general election, running alongside Gubitosi on the “Better Bradley Together” platform.
After being sworn in, Gubitosi said of his running partner Greenblatt, “I am very excited that Shana won the election for council and she is one of the most intelligent, and one of the most dedicated and hardest-working people I know. I think she’s going to be of great service to Bradley Beach.”
During the council comment period, Greenblatt said, “I appreciate the support of the community who voted for me and put their trust in me and I hope to earn the trust of those of you who really don’t know me.”
When Gubitosi won election in November, his first task was determining which Bradley Beach resident would fill his spot on the dais in the capacity of council person. At the reorganization meeting, the council nominated and approved Paul Nowicki to serve the remaining year of Gubitosi’s one-year term.
Gubitosi introduced the newest member of the council to the public by providing background on his professional career endeavors and personal connection to Bradley Beach. Gubitosi said Nowicki’s “passion for our community became evident” at Sylvan Lake Commission meetings, where he offered advice and support to the commissioners.
“In order to fill the vacancy on our governing body, this council considered many very talented and capable candidates. We believe that Paul’s engineering expertise, his passion for community involvement and his strong consensus-building skills will add great experience and leadership to serve the residents of Bradley Beach,” Gubitosi said.
Nowicki is a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey and recently retired from Gannett Flemming, an engineering and architectural consulting firm, after serving as president and chief operating officer.
During council comment, Nowicki later said, “I am extremely humbled and honored to accept this opportunity to serve the residents of Bradley Beach and perform the duties of councilperson. I look forward to working together with the mayor and council, especially with the community and bringing us together through transparency and communication to build a better Bradley Beach for the future.”
Additionally, Ronald Minsky was re-sworn in as the fire chief of the Bradley Beach Fire Department and Eric Hunter was sworn in as president of the Bradley Beach First Aid Squad.
Following the oath of office ceremonies, the first act of business Gubitosi attended to was nominating Jane DeNoble to continue to serve in the capacity of council president. In a unanimous vote, the council elected DeNoble to remain in her capacity, sitting alongside Gubitosi, as council president.
“Thank you, mayor and council, I really look forward to 2025 and working with all of you,” DeNoble said.
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