Newly elected officials began their terms Tuesday in different venues in Cumberland County.
A packed room in the Cumberland County Courthouse was the setting for the Cumberland County Freeholders meeting During the first meeting of the year, also known as the reorganization meeting, State Senate President Steve Sweeney and State Senator Jeff Van Drew were there to administer the oath of office to incumbent Freeholder Carol Musso and newcomers businessman George Castellini and former Bridgeton city councilman Jack Surrency.
Castellini and Surrency won their November races and will replace former Freeholders James Sauro and Carmen Daddario. Also being sworn in during the ceremony was Cumberland County Sherriff Robert Austino. Austino will be serving his fourth consecutive term as the county's sheriff.
While the new freeholders were being sworn in, new city commissioners were administered their oath of office 15 miles away in Millville. With their families in attendance, members of Team "On Your Side For Progress" W. James Parent, Ashleigh Udalovas, Joseph Pepitone and Bruce Cooper joined Michael Santiago to be sworn into office. Santiago was once again appointed mayor of the city.
Finally, to fill the seat that was vacated by Surrency on the Bridgeton City Council, the council nominated Dr. Sam Feinstein as the newest member of the city council. Feinstein was one of five candidates interviewed for the position. Under the city of Bridgeton's ordinances, the city council has the right to replace a member.
Once confirmed, Feinstein would serve the remaining of Surrency's council term. The council also selected J. Curtis Edwards to become city's new council president.
Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find NJ.com on Facebook