Jason F. Cilento being sworn-in as Dunellen’s 22^nd Mayor alongside his fiancée Lindsay Braverman, as Judge Katherine Howes administers the Oath of Office for Mayor.

Dunellen ushered in the new decade with new visions and a renewed sense of community activism led by its new mayor, Jason F. Cilento at its January 1, 2020 reorganization meeting.

Running on a platform of economic development, infrastructure, and public safety, Mayor Cilento along with newly sworn-in councilpersons Trina G. Rios and D. Cole Sigmon look to act on their campaign promises alongside a council made up of equal parts Democrats and Republicans.

The swearing-in of Rios, Dunellen’s first Latina councilwoman, creates a female-majority council—another first for Dunellen.

At the reorganization meeting, longtime councilman Kenneth Bayer was unanimously appointed Council President for 2020 by both Republican and Democratic council members.

Dunellen resident Margaret Dornbierer was recognized as Dunellen’s 2019 Citizen Volunteer of the Year for her many years as a volunteer for several Dunellen organizations. In addition, Rosemary Deene and Elizabeth Hixon were given Dunellen’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades of service to the Dunellen Public Library.

First order of business for Mayor Cilento was a call to arms encouraging citizens to donate their time and talents to Dunellen organizations, boards, and committees. To create ease and streamline efficiency, an online volunteer form was created and appointments were made at the January 1^st reorganization meeting.

Other initiatives for 2020 include:

• Continuation of the revitalization of downtown Dunellen;
• Creation of a Mayor’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force;
• Encouraging citizen engagement by promoting opportunities to serve on committees, commissions and boards;
• Creating a social media presence for the Borough of Dunellen;
• Involving residents in conversations about borough issues through a Mayor’s quarterly roundtable;
• Ensuring that the CY 2020 budget is presented using an infographic to better explain our budget to the public;
• Investigating regional partnerships and shared services in the areas of municipal services, sustainable initiatives and economic development;
• Supporting Arts initiatives that improve the quality of life in Dunellen and assist in economic development of our downtown;
• Continuing to work with the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition and the Raritan Valley Mayor’s Alliance to advocate for a direct peak hour train into NYC and the funding of the Gateway Tunnel;
• Continuing to seek grants for road improvements throughout Dunellen, as well as downtown beautification projects; and
• Ensuring the borough keeps its municipal tax rate as low as possible while maintaining quality of services

What makes Dunellen special was put best by Mayor Cilento, “Dunellen is a place where neighbors, friends and families come together to accomplish great things, ventures that uniquely define us as a community. We care about making this borough a great place to live, work, create, and raise a family.  And, that is what makes our square mile the ‘miracle mile!’”

Cole Sigmon being sworn-in as a councilman alongside his wife Lauren and two son’s Soren and Coleman, as Judge Katherine Howes administers the Oath of Office for Council Member.

Trina Rios being sworn-in as Dunellen’s first Latina councilwoman alongside her husband Robert Rios and two son’s Jaxon and Hudson, as Judge Katherine Howes administers the Oath of Office for Council Member.

Mayor Jason F. Cilento sits along with the members of the Dunellen Borough Council, Municipal Clerk/Borough Administrator, William M. Robins, and Municipal Attorney, John Bruder.

Rosemary Deene stands with her family and Dunellen Municipal Clerk, William M. Robins, as she receives the Dunellen 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elizabeth Hixon stands with her family and Dunellen Municipal Clerk, William M. Robins, as she receives the Dunellen 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Margaret Dornbierer receives Dunellen’s 2019 Citizen Volunteer of the Year by Mayor Jason F. Cilento.

Brandii Reid is sworn-in as a member of the Dunellen Library Board of Trustees.

Volunteers are sworn-in to serve as members of the Dunellen Planning Board.

Timothy Howard is sworn-in to serve on the Dunellen Parks and Recreation Commission.

Volunteers are sworn-in to serve as members of the Dunellen Downtown Management Organization

Volunteers are sworn-in to serve on the Dunellen Arts & Culture Commission.