Honored to Serve Boonton’s First Ward

This week, I was sworn in to represent Boonton’s First Ward on the Town Council.

I wish I were joining the Council under different circumstances. The seat became vacant after the passing of Cy Wekilsky, who spent decades serving this town as a school board member, alderman, mayor, and councilman.

Cy was a familiar face to generations of Boonton residents. He cared deeply about this community, and I know how much he meant to the people who knew and worked with him. I’m grateful for everything he did for Boonton, and I understand the responsibility that comes with stepping into the seat he held.

Boonton has been my home for more than 46 years. I went through the Boonton public schools, grew up playing in our local sports programs, and later had the chance to give back by coaching youth sports here. I even started my first business in Boonton as a teenager.

My wife, Ketal, and I raised our family here. Boonton has been part of nearly every stage of my life, so having the opportunity to represent my neighbors on the Town Council means a great deal to me.

Since 2018, I’ve served on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. That experience has given me a close look at many of the decisions that affect our neighborhoods, businesses, and the future of the town.

It has also reinforced something I believe strongly: residents should have the opportunity to be heard before decisions are made, not after.

My professional background is in corporate and commercial real estate finance and business management, and I hope to put that experience to good use on the Council. I want to ask questions, look carefully at how taxpayer dollars are being spent, and make decisions based on what makes sense for Boonton.

There are plenty of issues that deserve attention. We need to support our downtown businesses, keep our streets safe for pedestrians, make sure development and construction are properly managed, and hold property owners accountable for keeping their properties safe and well maintained.

Just as importantly, I want residents to know they can reach out to me. We may not always agree, but people deserve to know that their councilman is listening and willing to have a conversation.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the First Ward for the remainder of this year, and I’m ready to get to work.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind words and encouragement. I look forward to seeing you around town and hearing what’s on your mind.

Mark