Galante to Return to Little Silver Council

will be returning to the dais to serve as a Little Silver councilman, the borough council decided during a regular meeting at Monday night.

The former councilman was one of three recommendations by the Republican county committee to fill Mayor 's vacant seat. following . Galante will serve out the remainder of Neff's term through the end of 2012.

Dr. Rick Scott and Dennis Heard were also up for the council's consideration. Following discussion prior to Monday's meeting, the council chose to nominate Galante. 

Republican councilmen Bitman, Gilmour and Van Winkle all voted in favor of Galante's appointment. Independent Dan Levine and Democrat Daniel O'Hern abstained.

Following the vote, Borough Attorney John O. Bennett, III questioned whether three affirmative votes were enough to appoint a council member as required by law (four votes are required for mayor, Bennett noted), and asked Borough Clerk Helen Gormley to bring him the statute.

After a short delay to read through the law, Bennett confirmed the appointment only required a majority vote from the remaining governing body, and as there are currently five members on council, three affirmative votes were enough to appoint Galante.

Galante previously served multiple terms on council before resigning in August of 2008. 

Though Galante was not present at Monday's council meeting, Bennett said he has agreed to serve again and will be sitting on council at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 17.

Bennett and Neff said it is likely Galante will be sworn in before Oct. 17, and that it was unlikely any sort of formal ceremony would take place at that time.