Councilman Alfonse Manforti, who was appointed to the Toms River Township Council in July to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of former Councilwoman Melanie Donohue-Appleby, participated in his final council meeting on Tuesday evening before departing the governing body.

At Tuesday’s night meeting, Manforti’s colleagues on the governing body praised his service, though brief, and expressed interest in working with him again in the future. Manforti also was presented with an official proclamation at the start of the meeting.

“We would like to recognize Councilman Al Manforti for his service on the town council. Tonight is his last official meeting,” said Council President Maurice “Mo” Hill.

Hill continued by saying that Manforti is a product of local schools such as Saint Joseph’s Grade School and Toms River High School South, and had a long record of volunteerism prior to his council stint.

“All of us on the council would like to thank you for your service, and thank you very much for what you’ve done for the township this year,” Hill commented.

At this point, Manforti briefly spoke to his colleagues and the audience, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the governing body.

“I’d like to thank all my fellow council members for the opportunity to be able to serve the town, and to learn and help out. Thank you very much,” Manforti said, to a round of applause from the council chamber.

In particular, Hill praised Manforti for the timing of his service to the township council, noting that “it’s very tough to come in mid-stream.”

“I think you did a great job, I appreciate it. Speaking on behalf of the council, I thank you for your service; we really appreciate it. We hope to see you in the future,” Hill said to Manforti.

In later committee reports, Manforti would receive further individual commendatory remarks from council colleagues John Sevastakis, Maria Maruca, Gregory McGuckin, Council Vice-President Brian Kubiel and George Wittman. The departing councilman's replacement will be appointed in early 2012.

Donohue-Appleby left the council in June to accept a post as an Ocean County Superior Court judge, having been nominated to that job by Gov. Chris Christie and confirmed by the state Senate. Four weeks and one interview process later, the Toms River Township Council selected and swore in Manforti, a local chiropractor and president of the Toms River Regular Republican Club, to fill the remainder of Donohue-Appleby’s term, which expires on December 31.