December 17, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Senior Center, which opened in 1991, Thursday was renamed the Vincent J. Calcagno Senior Center in honor of the retiring NJLM Hall of Fame Councilman.
Calcagno, who has served the former Washington Township and later the Township of Robbinsville with distinction since 1994, presided over his final Council meeting on December 16. He is set to retire from public service on December 31.
Fellow members of Council, Mayor Dave Fried, Administrator Joy Tozzi, Rep. Chris Smith, his wife Ellie, along with more than two dozen Township staff members, were on hand for the dedication.
“I’m speechless,” Mr. Calcagno, a longtime resident of Robbinsville and the longest-tenured member of Council, said. “This is way beyond anything I ever expected or could even fathom. It’s such an honor I can’t even begin to tell you.”
Mr. Calcagno also was presented with a “Key to the City,” a Proclamation from Mayor Fried and a Resolution read into the record Thursday by Council President Mike Cipriano.
“I never imagined when I moved to Robbinsville in 1988 that I would be involved in local government in any way,” Calcagno said. “Then Ed Nelson stepped down from the Township committee in the old form of government. They asked me to run, and from there I was hooked on public service and community involvement. That involvement has benefitted me in every single facet of my life. I still very much enjoy it, but there are so many smart, talented young residents in town and they should have a voice for the next generations.”
Mr. Calcagno first was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Nelson in 1994 as part of the former Township Committee form of government, before serving two terms as Mayor in 1999 and 2004. He also was Deputy Mayor in 1998 and 2000. The January 7, 2021 reorganization meeting marked Mr. Calcagno’s seventh stint as Vice President. He continues to serve as Council liaison to the Senior Citizen Advisory Council and has been a staunch advocate for our senior community.
“When I first came onboard our Senior Center was empty and there were virtually no programs,” Mr. Calcagno said. “That really struck me and left a profound mark. Now, our Senior Center is thriving with incredible programs and it’s been a total team effort. That took the incredible work of many, many people, not just myself.”
On June 25, 2020, Mr. Calcagno was one of 33 members elected to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Elected Officials Hall of Fame.
Vince and his wife, Ellie. 
New Senior Center Manager Beth Rinyu, left, and Councilwoman-elect Debbie Blakely, who will be taking over for Vince as Senior Citizen Advisory Council Liaison effective Jan. 6, 2022 when she is sworn-in to Vince’s 4-year seat. 
Former Washington Township Mayor Ed Nelson, Councilman Mike Todd, B.A. Joy Tozzi, Councilwoman Chris Ciaccio, Vince Calcagno, Councilman Ron Witt, former WT mayor Doug Tindall, Councilwoman-elect Blakely, Mayor Fried, Rep. Chris Smith, former WT councilman Pete Chamberlain and Ellie Calcagno. 
Robbinsville Township Photos