Sen. Kevin O'Toole Swears-In Father for Third Time

Cedar Grove once again has a mayor named O'Toole.

Robert O'Toole was sworn in Monday for a one-year term as the mayor of Cedar Grove by his son, Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-40), during the annual reorganization meeting.

This will be Robert O'Toole's third term as mayor of Cedar Grove, where he raised seven children and served as a volunteer firefighter for 42 years.

Two of those children, Kevin and his sister Eileen, served on the council and as mayor prior to their dad. 

"People ask why did they precede me," he said during his remarks, "my truthful answer is because they are much more intelligent than I."

O'Toole called one of his accomplishments having convinced the council to eliminate their yearly stipend of $4,000 and the cost of a seminar in Atlantic City. 

"The council agreed this will help slightly with the budget but more important set the example for all departments that we, the council must sacrifice along with the rest of town employees."

He said as mayor he will continue to request cuts in spending, pursue improvements at Panther Park and work to install pedestrian cross walk lights on Pompton Avenue.

Councilman E. Romeo Longo will serve as Deputy Mayor for the coming year. 

Longo, a recently re-elected councilman, took the oath of office along with Joseph Chiusolo and John Zunic. 

O'Toole will take the place of immediate past mayor Peter Tanella who will continue on as councilman.