August 13, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Retiring officers recognized; new chief sworn in by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona and the borough council honored retiring Police Chief Joseph Seltenrich and retiring Detective Sergeant Anthony Pacelli at last week’s public meeting. The council also confirmed and welcomed the new police chief, Carmine “Dean” Pezzuti. The council chambers was filled with well-wishers as Bivona read proclamations prepared for each of the retiring officers and swore in the new chief. Pacelli’s retirement proclamation recognized his 29 years of service and stated, “He served with distinction as a patrolman, receiving numerous commendations, and was appointed to the Detective Bureau on Jan. 1, 2006 and promoted to the position of detective sergeant on June 18, 2013.” The proclamation also pointed out that Pacelli acted in a number of capacities including bias crime officer, com- puter network administrator, Division of Youth and Family Services liaison, and internal affairs officer. “Detective Sergeant Pacelli was known to all as a dedi- cated and loyal police officer,” the proclamation states. The proclamation honoring Seltentrich recognized his almost 38 years in the police department and his “excep- tional service” and recounted how he rose from patrolman to sergeant to lieutenant, captain, and then police chief. During his career, the proclamation states that he acted in a number of capacities including policies and proce- dure administrator, office of emergency management law enforcement annex coordinator, and assignment roster coordinator. He was also responsible for personnel files management and preparation of mayor and council reports. The proclamation recognizes Seltenrich as a dedicated and loyal police officer and police chief. Seltenrich congratulated Pacelli on his retirement from the police force, saying, “It is well deserved. Tony is one police officer who could be depended on to get things done and it was a pleasure to work with him.” When Seltenrich was honored with his proclamation, Bivona said on behalf of himself and the council that it was a pleasure working with Seltenrich. “When he took over the direction of the department, he drove the department to the professional department that it is and I personally want to thank you,” Bivona said. During the time Seltenrich was in the department, he spent 34 years in a supervisory capacity. He was appointed a probationary patrolman in December 1976, became a patrolman in January 1978, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in September 1980. He became a lieutenant in September 1989, captain in January 2007, and police chief on Feb. 1, 2012. Over the span of his career, he spent 20 years as a patrol squad supervisor and 15 years in an administrative capac- ity as the department’s executive officer. “It’s sad that we lose two great officers who have served (continued on page 15)