Photo: Longtime Councilman Retires

Longtime New Brunswick city councilman Robert Recine banged the gavel for the last time on Thursday night, as he presided over his final meeting as an elected member of the council.

Recine, a lifelong resident of New Brunswick, was first elected to city council in 1996.

The council adopted a resolution thanking and honoring Recine for his service as an elected official, and city clerk Daniel Torrisi presented Recine with a plaque commemorating his time on council.

Recine personally thanked the council, city administrators and clerks, and nearly everyone in the room during the sparsely attended close-out public meeting for the year.

"It's my hometown and I love New Brunswick," he said. "Just thank you all so much."

Recine's seat will be filled in January by incoming council member John A. Anderson.