Avalon  Mayor Martin Pagliughi congratulates Bill Burns upon his swearing in on Wednesday, July 22nd

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi congratulates Bill Burns upon his swearing in on Wednesday, July 22nd

The Avalon Borough Council voted unanimously to appoint Bill Burns to a vacant seat on Council during its meeting on Wednesday, July 22nd.  Burns was appointed via resolution by a unanimous 4-0 vote and took his oath of office at the conclusion of the meeting from Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.  Burns will serve the vacant seat formerly held by David Ellenberg until the November 3, 2015 general election.

“Bill Burns brings both government experience and a deep knowledge of the Avalon community to Borough Council and I am very pleased that Council appointed Bill to fill the vacancy”, said Mayor Pagliughi.  “Bill has been a community leader in Avalon and has many years of experience working with, and for government.  I look forward to Bill’s contributions to enhance Borough initiatives and policies.  Council made the perfect choice”.

Council had 30 days to appoint a successor to Ellenberg once Ellenberg’s resignation went into effect at midnight Thursday, July 9th.  Avalon is a non-partisan community, which provided Borough Council the opportunity to appoint a successor.  Avalon voters will have the opportunity to fill the remainder of Ellenberg’s term in the general election on November 3rd; the term expires on June 30th, 2017.

“It is important for the Borough of Avalon to have all positions filled on Borough Council as we move into the late summer and fall season as we begin discussions on the 2016 budget and various capital projects”, said Avalon Council President Richard Dean.  “Bill represents the same philosophies of governance that has been the focus and mantra of Team Avalon.  His appointment will retain the harmony within Council and the close working relationship with the Mayor that voters endorsed in the May election”.

Burns is 68 years old has been a year-round resident of Avalon with his wife Sarah since 1980.  He has served as President of Burns Construction Consulting, LLC since 2007, and as President at Burns Associates since 1992.  He currently also serves as a Commissioner and Treasurer at the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority; Burns has served as a Commissioner for the past 23 years.  At the Cape May County MUA, Burns also is the chairman of various committees, including Budget Review, Administrative Building, Construction Claims, Finance, and Consultant Selection.  He is a 1968 graduate of Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN.

Burns has served numerous Avalon charitable and civic organizations including nearly ten years of service with the Avalon Board of Education.  He is Past President of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, a former board member at the United Way of Cape May County, and a 20-year member of the Avalon Republican Club.

The next meeting of the Avalon Borough Council is Wednesday, August 12th, at 4:00pm.