Janice Gatto Appointed Municipal Judge

Borough resident Janice Gatto was appointed Municipal Court Judge at a special meeting of the Mayor and Council on December 26, 2002.    The appointment is for a three year term. Judge Gatto was sworn in on Monday, December 30, 2002 by Superior Court Judge Peter Doyne.

Judge Gatto is the first woman to become Municipal Judge in Hasbrouck Heights. She has served as attorney for the borough's zoning board and has been special counsel for the borough on certain zoning matters. She works in Montvale.

Judge Gatto salary is $15,000 for holding court session once a week.  She will be paid extra is there are special sessions for DWI offenders.

Judge Gatto replaces Municipal Court Judge Harry H. Chandless Jr. who heard his last case on December 18, 2002.   After 36 years on the bench he has heard over 73,000 cases before retiring.  Judge Chandless was the longest continuously serving municipal court judge in Bergen County.  He heard cases for traffic violations, disorderly person's charges -- assault, harassment, lewdness -- and drug offenses.

Source: Record, December 17, 2002 and  January 1, 2003

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