Becivengo's decision to step down will put Council President Kevin Meara in the position of acting mayor until a new mayor is chosen from a list of three candidates to be drawn up by the township Republican committee.
Kevin Meara will step up as acting mayor for Hamilton Township after John Bencivengo, who was found guilty of corruption, extortion and other charges, stepped down.
HAMILTON — A crowd of 50 reacted with a stunned silence last night when township business administrator John Ricci broke the news.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about what the mayor is going to do and he decided that the best thing to do for Hamilton and all of our taxpayers is to move on,” Ricci said at the township council meeting, in announcing that Mayor John Bencivengo, convicted yesterday of taking bribes to rig a school insurance contract, would submit his letter of resignation this afternoon.
Becivengo’s decision to step down will put Council President Kevin Meara in the position of acting mayor until a new mayor is chosen from a list of three candidates to be drawn up by the township Republican committee.
Ricci said the Republican committee has 15 days to submit the finalists to the council, who will then have another 15 days — no more than 30 days in total — to select a new mayor from the list, the law states.
The new mayor would serve until the next general election, on Nov. 5, 2013, when the incumbent could face competition from other political party candidates, Ricci said.
The election winner will then serve the remainder of Bencivengo’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2015.
Last night, council members assumed a somber tone when discussing the jury verdict and Bencivengo’s pending resignation. The mayor was found guilty on five counts of extortion and related offenses.
Meara offered a prayer for the mayor and thanks to township employees who have continued to work as the “cloud” enveloped the town.
“I think it’s important to note that we politicians come and go,” Meara said. “The real work in Hamilton Township is done by our employees, who have also had to go through this.”
Others at the meeting sought to distance the town from the scandal that Bencivengo had brought upon them.
“John Bencivengo does not represent the character of Hamilton Township,” said Dan Keelan, a member of the town’s Democratic committee.
Keelan renewed his calls for the council to revive its ethics board to examine the actions of Bencivengo and former director of community planning Robert Warney, who testified against Bencivengo after pleading guilty to money laundering for his intermediary role in the extortion scheme.
“I don’t think the cloud over Hamilton Township is going to last much longer if you take action,” Keelan said.
Nottingham High School junior Nick DeMarie asked the council why young people, especially students, shouldn’t be disillusioned with local politics.
“In the wake of Mayor Bencivengo’s verdict, what would be an appropriate response to a young person who looks up to the leaders in our community and questions the integrity of our local politicians,” DeMarie said.
“The overwhelming majority of people involved in public life are honest and have great integrity,” Councilman Dave Kenny said. “It’s unfortunate when something like this happens. It’s an outrage. But I don’t think you should lose faith with everyone who’s involved with public life.”
Township resident Christopher Brand Sr. requested the township remove Bencivengo’s name from a plaque installed at Veterans Park last month at a new monument to honor the U.S. Navy.
“I truly believe it would behoove the township of Hamilton to have someone remove his name,” Brand said. “To me, it’s very offensive as a veteran of the Armed Forces. It offends the seal of the township. It offends the American flag.”
Bencivengo was inaugurated on Jan. 1, 2008, replacing Democrat Glen Gilmore. He began his term by restructuring certain departments and installing three new department directors.
He won re-election in November 2011, beating Democratic challenger Connie Carella Dalton in a landslide.
Two of those directors were involved in the corruption scandal and have since left their positions.
Warney stepped down from his post just a few days before pleading guilty. Former recreation director Cathy Tramontana was fired from her position on Monday after being named in testimony.
Contact Mike Davis at (609) 989-5708 or mdavis@njtimes.com.
Complete coverage of the Bencivengo corruption case:
• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo is guilty of taking $12,400 in bribes from insurance broker
• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo corruption trial: attorneys deliver closing arguments
• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo corruption trial: Prosecutor alleges 'government by bribe'
• Amick: 'Shocking' revelations of Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo trial show need for reform
• Hamilton school board business administrator is placed on administrative leave
• Editorial: Hamilton school board should dig deeper on contracts after bribery admission
• Former Hamilton official pleads guilty to money laundering in Mayor John Bencivengo extortion case
• Senator wants state constitution changed so indicted office-holders are suspended
• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo pleads not guilty to extortion, money laundering charges
• Editorial: Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo must heed calls to resign over corruption indictment