Meo, Pfleging Take Oradell Council Seats

With just 2080 voters coming out today to participate in the municipal elections, Republicans Tony Meo and Edward Pfleging were overwhemingly voted to the open pair of three-year council terms over incumbent councilman Michael Harte.

Pfleging came in with the most votes received at 1,233 followed by Meo at 1,201. Harte, who ran as an independent came in with 785.

A homegrown candidate, Meo graduated from Oradell Public School and River Dell High School before heading off to Montclair University for a degree in Political Science. The legislative aide to Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (D-39), he has volunteered with the for the past 10 year beginning in the cadet and junior programs before becomming a regular member.

Pfleging currently serves on the Oradell Zoning Board of Adjustment as well as the Land Use Ordinance Committee. A professional engineer with the Montefiore Medical Center in New York, he previously served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Council President Joseph Murray (R) who ran unopposed for the position of Mayor garnered 1,345 votes.

A member of the Borough Council since 2003, he also previously served on the governing body from January 1990 to November 1996. He has served as liaison to the Department of Public Works, Finance Chairman and Fire Commissioner. He has served on the Oradell Swim Club Board, St. Joseph's Parish Council and Board of Education, and as a member of the Oradell Lions and Oradell-Emerson Rotary.

Residents also voted to reject an Open Space Tax, 956 to 559. The tax would have utilized one penny for every $100 of collected property taxes to be set aside for the preservation and maintenance of the borough's ballfields and parks. 

There are 5,483 registered voters in the borough.