Madison Council Seated, Assigned for 2013

Madison Borough Council members Astri Baillie and Ben Wolkowitz were sworn in Tuesday at the the governing body's reorganization meeting, kicking off their three-year terms.

Baillie will serve as the council's public safety liaison, and Wolkowitz will serve as the council's finance and borough clerk liaison.

The Democratic running mates were elected by voters in November in a contested race. Baillie previously served on the council from 2002 to 2010 before taking a break from elected office. Wolkowitz is serving his first term.

They were sworn in by Borough Administrator Ray Codey. Baillie's husband, John Kimball, and Wolkowitz's wife, Lois Wolkowitz, were present for the swearing-in.

The six-member council now has two more Democrats, bringing the total to three, though last year's council members were not necessarily known for voting along party lines. The council members picked Carmela Vitale, the other Democrat on the council, to be the Council president for the year with a 5-0 vote.

Jeannie Tsukamoto, Robert Catalanello and Bob Landrigan are the three Republican council members. Tsukamoto, last year's council president, was not present at Tuesday's meeting because of an illness.

Madison Mayor Bob Conley, who votes in the event of a tie, is a Democrat.

The council members whose terms ended Dec. 31, Republicans Don Links and Dr. Vincent Esposito, did not seek re-election.

Esposito's service on the council was recognized on Tuesday with a proclamation, roses, and a borough chair. He thanked his family, the governing body and the citizens of Madison.

Links' work on the council was recognized at the Dec. 10 Borough Council meeting. On Tuesday, he was named to the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Astri J. Baillie / Benjamin Wolkowitz

Check back for more coverage from Tuesday's reorganization meeting.