Mayor and Council
The Borough Form of Government
The The Borough of Riverdale is governed by a Mayor and Six Borough Council members. The Mayor is elected to a 4-year term; the Council members are elected to 3-year terms. The Mayor votes only in the event of a tie.
This seven-member governing body is empowered to enact local ordinances, to levy municipal taxes and conduct the affairs of our community. In almost all cases, it can review and approve the actions of other committees and agencies. The Mayor and Borough Council conducts all of its business during monthly meetings open to the public.
All Legislative powers of the Borough are exercised by the Mayor and Council. These powers can take the form of a resolution, ordinance or proclamation.
Members of the Governing Body
A Personal Glimpse of the Mayor
William Budesheim
Years Lived in Town: since 1975
Spouse: Marian
Children: William III, Matthew & his wife Sylvana, Adam and his wife Tori, Gregory & his wife Lisa, Annemarie, Dennis and Anthony
Grandchildren:
Matthew John Jr. May 18, 2004, Kevin Patrick July 2, 2006, Nicholas James January 20, 2008 (Sons of Matthew and Sylvana)
Caroline Marie June 15,2007, Elizabeth Anne March 25, 2009 (Daughters of Adam and Tori)
Jack William July 8, 2007, Emma Rose December 4, 2008 (Son and daughter of Gregory and Lisa)
Years on Council: Twenty-one years
Years as Mayor: Since 9/2/03
Career: Optician and Certified Zoning Officer
Graduate from Essex County College, A.A.S. in Ophthalmic Science - 1980
William Paterson University, B.A. in Business Administration - 1982
To contact: mayor@RiverdaleNJ.gov
A Look at Council President Paul Carelli
Paul M. Carelli
Spouse: June Carelli
Children: Son - Michael - 14 years old
Currently in 10th Grade at Pompton Lakes High School
Son - Tommy - 14 years old
Currently in 8th Grade at Riverdale School
Daughter - Samantha – 7 years old
Years on Council: Eight years
Career: Engineer
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY – College of Engineering - New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Bachelor of Science, 1983 – Industrial Engineering, Packaging Engineering
Kinnelon High School (Class of 78)
Pearl R. Miller School (Class of 74)
Riverdale School (Class of 72)
EMPLOYMENT (25 years): L’Oreal USA Products, Inc. – Clark, New Jersey
DIRECTOR – Technical Package Development
Luxury Products Division
A Look at Councilman Garrett Astarita
Garrett Astarita
Lived in Town since 1975
Spouse: Helen
Children: Tara-Lyn, 32 years old, James Madison University Graduate
Meggan, 28 years old, University of Rhode Island graduate
Career: Biomedical Administrator with DaVita, Inc.
Member Board of Nephrology Examiners
Adjunct dialysis instructor Brooklyn College
Served in the military as a Naval Hospital Corpsman, Vietnam Vet 1969-1970
VFW member since 1975
Years on Council: Since 1996.
Council President 2003
Morris County Committeeman 1996-2000
Riverdale Planning Board 1990-1996
Morris County CDBG member
Pompton Lakes Riverdale First Aid Squad - past president and exempt member
A Look at Councilman Joseph Falkoski
Joseph Falkoski
Years Lived in Town: Six years
Children: Daughter - Patricia - 47 years old
Grandson - Matthew - 24 years old
Stepson - Mark - 55 years old
Years on Council: Four years
Career: Retired senior mechanical designer formerly with Singer Kearfott
Chairman of the Morris County Planning Board
Former Councilman for the Borough of Butler 1979-1991 having served as chairman of all standing committees during this period and as council president for six years during this period
Former trustee for Morris 2000 now known as Morris Tommorow
Former President of Morris County League of Municipalities
Councilman Joe Falkoski got his political start as president of the Butler Taxpayers Association. This news article appeared in Matzner Publications for February 28, 1963. That's nearly 45 years of public service! Way to go, Joe! Joseph Falkoski
A Look at Councilman Theodore Guis
Theodore (Ted) J. Guis
Years Lived in Town: Seventeen years
Spouse: Robbin Guis
Children:
Daughter - Samantha - 1990 - Currently an accounting major at TCNJ
Daughter - Kimberly - 1993 - Currently in DePaul High School
Councilman: 2003-Present
Planning Board Member: 1997-2003
Career: Engineer
Graduate engineer from Virginia Tech - 1981
NJ Professional Engineer since 1985.
Worked 7 years in heavy power plant construction as a construction engineer, area manager and craft superintendent.
Since 1988 worked in own business as consulting engineer on construction projects, site plans, septic design and forensic engineering (accident investigation and expert testimony).
Built, owns and operates Riverdale Self Storage on Hamburg Turnpike.
A Look at Steven Loesner
Steve Loesner
Resident since 1991
Wife Cindy married in 1986
Son Bob 20 junior Norwich University
Son Brian 18 freshman Bloomsburg University
Attended Rutgers University & William Paterson College
Employed by Verizon Communications since 1988
Former Planning Board Chairman, Scoutmaster, Sports Coach
Favorite American - George Washington
A Look at Councilwoman Elaine Wetzel
Elaine Wetzel
Years Lived in Town: Twenty-six years
Spouse: Donald Wetzel
Children: Daughter - Christine - 24 years old
Daughter - Dana - 22 years old
Daughter - Jennifer - 22 years old
Years on Council: Twelve years
Career: Nurse
Graduate from St. Francis School of Nursing, JCNJ - 1976, where she became a Registered Nurse.
Began career at Visiting Health Service, Totowa, NJ where she worked for 16 years. Moved on to become a Private Duty nurse for Dennis Benigno Jr.(Clifton, NJ) for 16 years. (Dennis unfortunetely suffered a traumatic brain injury at age 15.)
Dennis Benigno Sr. has begun the Coalition for Brain Injury Research in which Elaine is an active participant.