There's an old adage that if something is not broke, then there's no need to fix it. Apparently, that's how officials feel about the Weehawken government.

When the new fiscal year began on July 1 each year, the Township Council holds its "reorganization meeting" to award contracts and make appointments to boards.

This year, the appointments were largely re-appointments.

"It's our annual reorganization and we reappoint all the professionals who are necessary to advise all our different agencies," Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said. "These professionals offer their services and they need to receive their appointments each year."

Once again, Roy Saffro was appointed as law director and Richard Venino received an appointment as township attorney.

Paul Garbarini was reappointed as township auditor and attorney Elise DiNardo, a Weehawken resident, was reappointed public defender.

Jack Kraft is once again the town's bond counsel and David Corrigan is the town's labor attorney.

Weehawken resident and attorney Marianne Wuillamey is the landlord/tenant advisor for the township, while Hugh McGuire III is the attorney for the Rent Leveling Board.

Contracts were awarded again to two politically connected firms that are often used by local towns: Engineering to Mayo Lynch of Secaucus, and the federal grants coordinating and writing to Krivit and Krivit of Washington, D.C.

Renewing liquor licenses

At the regularly scheduled Township Council meeting, the council, which also serves as the local Alcohol Beverage Control board, reviewed the licenses of the 12 establishments in the township that serve alcohol, as well as the three clubs, the Elks, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War post. The review was done in order to give renewals to the existing licenses.

"We have to review each one, so it takes a little time," Turner said. "We have representatives from each of our departments testify, like building and health departments, to see if there was any issues involving the establishments in the past year."

There are four other liquor licenses in the town that remain active, but are not currently in use and have not been purchased for use. Those "pocket" licenses were also reviewed.

The review was done in stages: There are licenses for consumption of alcohol, and some for distribution, like with liquor stores. There are two different grades of licensing in the process.

Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com