October 1, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Franklin Lakes Borough promotes and appoints police officers by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Police Officer Mark McCombs has been promoted to the rank of sergeant within the borough’s police department. The council voted unani- mously in favor of this action at a recent public session. The council also voted unanimously to appoint Michael Pellegrino as a new police officer and Ruth Barnes to the full time position of police dispatcher. The council chambers was filled to capacity to witness the swearing in of McCombs, Pellegrino, and Barnes, and for the appointment of Jeffrey Zaentz as a member of the borough’s volunteer fire department and Matthew Shifar as a junior member of the fire department. “It’s a special night when we get to promote an individual who has served our community for 14 years and welcome a new patrolman to the Franklin Lakes community,” Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona said. “Mark McCombs has served our borough well over his years here and has received recognition for many achieve- ments during his tenure and is well deserv- ing of the promotion to sergeant. “Michael comes to us after a rigorous and competitive selection process,” Bivona added, “and we look forward to him join- ing our force.” McCombs became a police officer in the borough in 2001 after attending Ramapo College. He holds a master’s degree in human resources from Seton Hall University. McCombs is the field training officer for the department and a certified Drug Rec- ognition Expert. He also serves as the fire chief in Midland Park and has a younger brother who is a police officer in Mahwah. Police Chief Carmine Pezzuti said McCombs has excellent leadership skills and he is a very dynamic, aggressive police officer. (continued on page 21) Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona (left) swears in Sergeant Mark McCombs (right) as his brother Kevin holds the Bible.