Testino to serve as prez of Old Bridge council
Brian Cahill begins first term, giving GOP a third member
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer
The new year arrived in Old Bridge with a new Township Council president and a new member of the governing body.

Councilman Ed Testino took over as president Tuesday during the town's reorganization meeting after being unanimously elected by his fellow council members.

"I'm certainly flattered by the vote of confidence, and proud to be serving my fourth term," Testino told the Suburban. "I look forward to trying to do the best I can."

The new council president vowed to do his best to be open and receptive to concerns voiced by residents, and to maintain a productive discourse with them and fellow council members.

Testino has a number of goals for the year ahead in the township. He said one of them is to see the new YMCA completed at Peter A. Mannino Park, Route 516. Another is to preserve additional open space in town, as well as to connect linear parks through walkways and trails, he said.

A major priority for 2008 will be to keep municipal spending at a minimum, and explore all possible avenues for saving taxpayers money, Testino said.

"I pledge to give the corporate parks [proposed at the Crossroads redevelopment site] a fair and open look, and try to bring some tax relief to the residents," Testino said.

Councilman Patrick Gillespie, who served as president for the past two years, nominated Testino to fill his seat.

"We're a team, and Patrick was taking on some other assignments, so we passed the baton," Testino said.

Gillespie will serve as council liaison to the township Planning Board this year.

Serving as council president is nothing new for Testino, who filled the post from 1998 to 2000.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, officials swore in to office newly elected Republican Councilman Brian Cahill, who brings the Democrat-dominated council to a 6-3 ratio. Cahill said he is entering his fouryear term with a determination to keep the promises he has made to the public.

"I'm going to stick with the commitment I made during the campaign, which was to preserve open space, be fiscally responsible and curb overdevelopment,"

Cahill said. "I'm looking forward to working

with the mayor, the administration and the council to achieve these goals, and I'm hoping we can work together on these goals from a bipartisan perspective."

Cahill has already had something of a taste of life on the dais, having sat in on the Dec. 10 council meeting. His first regular meeting as a voting council member will be Jan. 14.

"I'm really grateful to the voters for electing me, and I promise to work extraordinarily hard for them over the next four years," Cahill said.

Council Vice President Bill Baker is holding on to his title, having already served for two years in the position after his stint as council president preceding Gillespie's.

Also during the meeting, Testino, Gillespie and Mayor Jim Phillips all took the oath for new four-year terms.

In other areas, the council voted to make several reappointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA). James O' Kane will remain a member of the Zoning Board, and recent newcomer James Adriani will continue to serve as an alternate member of the board. Kiran Desai will carry on in his capacity as a member of the township MUA.

The council also voted to reappoint various department heads of the township's administrative offices.

"There were no fireworks. There was no acrimony. This was a really nice day," Phillips said of the reorganization meeting.

According to Phillips, the New Year's Day meetings often bring a butting of heads in some municipalities, but in Old Bridge the governing body worked well together to bring in the new year with a positive and productive start.

Testino agreed.

"Not only do we have one of the greatest towns in the country, but also one of the greatest governments," Testino said.