Mantua’s Township Committee held a reorganization meeting on Jan. 2 where it welcomed new Mayor Robert Zimmerman, who was sworn in by his daughter Ashley, an attorney.
Zimmerman – who served as deputy mayor for seven years – replaced Pete Scirotto, who will remain on the committee and serve as deputy mayor. He got a round of applause from the large meeting crowd to acknowledge his years in the top job.
“I think I’ll always call him Mayor Scirrotto, even though I’m the mayor (now),” said Zimmerman. “It’s kind of surreal. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision. Pete and I had talked about this transition probably about a year ago, and I think it was probably the best for both of us at this point in our personal and professional lives and good for the township as well.”
Zimmerman also served on the Mantua school district board of education from 2003 to 2008, serving as both president and vice president.
“I feel like we’re going into a new era and it’s very exciting for our town,” said committeewoman Eileen Lukens. “We have such a great town and I’m looking forward to everything that 2023 has to offer.”
“Everything that Bob (Zimmerman) does, he does well,” noted Scirrotto. “I’m sure he will lead our town well.”
Zimmerman also explained what his focus – and that of the committee – will be for 2023 and beyond.
“We will continue to work hard for the residents of Mantua Township and continue to make the tough decisions that are in the best interest for the community as a whole,” he said. “We are proud to toe the line without any total tax increases locally here for the past two years. We’ll continue to explore new opportunities in an effort to better serve residents, while continuing to tighten the belt for property taxes in 2023.”
Scirrotto and Lukens were also both sworn in to new, three-year terms as committee members after winning reelection in the November elections. The families of each were among the crowd at the reorganization meeting.
The large crowd included former state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who swore in Scirrotto, and a representative from the office of Congressman Donald Norcorss who offered congratulations on behalf of the legislator.
All resolutions on the session’s agenda were passed and public participation was kept to a minimum. The meeting opened and closed with prayers from Deacon Peter Traum of the Church of the Incarnation.
