New Hampton council members take seats

Hampton Township kicked off the new year with council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, welcoming two new members.

Alfred Midgley IV and Daniel Sciulli were sworn in following their wins in the general election. Both were surrounded by family members as they took their seats on council for the first time.

“I was a little nervous, but this is a good group of people on council. I have a lot of support from everyone, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them,” said Midgley.

He wasn’t exactly surprised that he won his election, but he was unsure if he could do it when he started his campaign.

“Hampton has always been a contentious district for politics, so I was worried about winning. I had a really good group of people around me that got people out to vote, and that’s kind of how it happened,” he said.

Next on Midgley’s agenda is trying to keep costs down on the construction of the township’s new water treatment plant.

“I just want to take a look at the numbers and hopefully wind in any over-spending,” Midgley said.

Sciulli was even more surprised than Midgley about his success, as Sciulli ran two years ago and lost.

“This time, I was all in. I learned from my mistakes the first time around and put forth a much better effort campaigning this time. And it paid off,” said Sciulli

Sciulli is a longtime investment banker, and he looks forward to making the Hampton community a better place than it already is.

Jerry Speakman, who won reelection in November, was sworn in as the township’s controller for another two-year term.

Christopher Lochner called the meeting to order for the final time, as he is retiring after serving as municipal manager since 1986.

Ryan Jeroski is taking over the position. He has been shadowing Lochner the past few months and is excited to begin helping the community.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity and will embrace the challenges,” said Jeroski.

In addition to the new members of council taking their seats, it was unanimously decided that Carolynn Johnson will remain council president and Bethany Blackburn, vice president.

Council will continue to hold meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., except for the last two months of the year. Meetings are scheduled for Nov. 6 and 20, and Dec. 4 and 11.