Gerry Tobin, the 1st Ward representative for eight years who lost his bid for a third term by a handful of votes, said, "I tried to make decisions without too much waffling.

"All I tried to do was give the town good government," said Tobin, who frequently voted independently of the group. "My definition of that is that you make reasoned, objective decisions based on the facts you have without getting involved in the personalities."

An example of Tobin’s nonalignment was his vote in favor of The Marlboro Inn’s historic classification, along with Lang.

"There was no way The Marlboro Inn under our ordinance was not historic," Tobin said. "That was the most unfortunate decision we made in four years."

Still, Tobin maintained the outgoing council accomplished more than Montclair councils in recent memory, adding, "that’s even considering we had the handicap of Mr. Mattox, who didn’t contribute much at all."

Tobin deemed the demolition of the Hahne’s Building a major feat, along with redevelopment, construction of the parking decks, and enrollment into the Garden State Joint Insurance Fund.

In his ward, Tobin said he represented the concerns of residents on Normal Avenue who feared Montclair State University would move students into a house on the street. Tobin also helped preserve the historic Huestis House on Duryea Road and rallied for traffic calming measures.

Asked why constituents did not reelect the incumbents, Tobin replied that voters don’t always remember accomplishments as clearly as they recall actions like the establishment of the Sewer Authority, which produced a second bill that can not be deducted from a resident’s taxes.

He said the lawsuit, frequently referred to as Mattox v. Montclair, left residents with a perception that their representatives could not work together, and therefore could not be productive, which he believes to be untrue.

Tobin called the litigation "absurd" and prophesized "it will be proved to be possibly one of the stupidest things that ever went on in this town."

Tobin said he would be willing to settle the lawsuit, as he believes the nonprofits involved in the litigation are qualified and would ultimately be awarded the debated contracts. He also criticized The Montclair Times for giving the case what he believed to be too much coverage.

"I know it was controversial, but underneath, the emperor has no clothes," Tobin said of the claim’s validity.

Tobin intends to work on changing Montclair’s form of government as he disagrees with all council seats being up for reelection at the same time. He would prefer the terms of the seven seats to be staggered.

Robin Schlager, the 2nd Ward representative, spoke of the council’s triumphs and her connection with residents.

"My greatest reward and my greatest accomplishment in four years was the relationship I built with my constituents in the 2nd Ward," Schlager said. "It took a lot of hard work and time helping people on a one-to-one basis."

She noted her involvement in crafting Montclair High School’s parking plan, and in a traffic-calming program, which resulted in the installation of speed tables along North Mountain Avenue. Schlager spoke of her participation in efforts to save trees in Woodman Field and to alleviate flooding on Burnside Avenue.

The councilwoman also spearheaded funding efforts for an "All-Children’s Playground," to be erected in Edgemont Memorial Park. The playground will accommodate children with disabilities and special needs, along with abled children.

Schlager was pleased to have been a member of the municipal government that erected The Crescent Deck, on time and under budget, and, noted her happiness to have witnessed the demise of the Hahne’s Building.

"Despite so much negativity expressed by many of the candidates in the recent election, I look around and see the vibrancy of Upper Montclair and Church Street, revitalization of Walnut Street, and ongoing improvements at Lackawanna Plaza," she said.

The councilwoman was also "very disappointed at how difficult at times it was to get things done."

"For so many people in this town, the primary concern seems to be looking out for their personal interests opposed to the greater good," Schlager said.

But the councilwoman is optimistic she will be remembered for her accessibility and receptiveness.

"I was always available to my constituents on my home phone or by e-mail," Schlager said.

Jerold Freier, who served a term as the 3rd Ward representative, named restoration of Montclair’s infrastructure, such as sidewalks, curbs, streets, the sewer and water system, as the council’s greatest achievement.

Erecting bus shelters on Bloomfield Avenue was also a measure that Freier was pleased with. When he was elected, he saw the people standing out in the rain and wanted to do that particular project.

"That’s not the most important thing I’ve done, but it’s probably my favorite," he said. "I also felt that one of things I wanted to accomplish was trying to do things for those people who were underrepresented because they were not as wealthy or powerful or as connected."

Freier said his greatest challenge "was continuing to move ahead and continuing to progress in an atmosphere in which there were a lot of animosity and false challenges leveled against the council, starting with The Marlboro Inn and then, of course, the disputes with Ted Mattox and his backers."

However, Freier noted such rancor actually brought his colleagues, with the exception of Mattox, closer together.

Sandra Lang, a lifelong Montclair resident and the 4th Ward representative, is proudest of actions that improved the South End’s infrastructure.

Lang’s roster of improvements include the renovation of the tennis courts in Nishuane Park, cleaning Nishuane Brook, beautification of the South End triangle, completion of the Bay Street Parking Deck, and road improvements. Lang also called the demolition of the vacant St. Vincent’s Hospital an accomplishment.

The councilwoman also noted her service as a liaison to the Civil Rights Commission and co-chaired with Freier the municipality’s Reevaluation Task Force to oversee the property tax readjustment process.

She is proud of having been part of crafting the "Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance," which mandates that certain housing units remain perpetually affordable, which she called "a first step in making a statement about Montclair and how we feel about affordable housing and how everybody hopes to contribute."

"I am proud to have had my life here and to have made a contribution in terms of public service," Lang said.

She hopes that her legacy as a 4th Ward councilwoman will be that she cared.

"It was not about self-aggrandizement. It was about caring for the Township of Montclair," Lang said. "It’s comforting to me to know that I have left an imprimatur of some sort in this town during this lifetime, and I have certainly been enriched by the experience."

Ted Mattox, an at-large councilman who ran for mayor this year, said he "demonstrated that it’s possible to be a politician and still genuinely be concerned with the residents’ needs and issues."

Mattox said his "listening nights," periodic events where the councilman met with constituents, "allowed me to truly understand residents’ needs, and I think allowed me the freedom to speak my mind as I knew it would be supported by the people of Montclair."

He was also proud to "have moved the Cable TV Committee to the Communications Committee, which broadened the focus of the group and encompassed all forms of media that the township used to communicate."

"As a first-time councilperson, my experience has truly taught me that Montclair and the State of New Jersey have a long way to go in terms of executing projects, in accordance with the municipality and state’s own laws," Mattox said.

Mattox said his greatest challenge was "communicating a different approach to Montclair’s problems to fellow council people who came to meetings with a predetermined mindset."

Mattox hopes "the incoming council and all future councils actually take the time to digest the incredible amount of information that is available to them."

He added that the most important aspect to serving on the council "is to never forget that you represent everyone in town, not just the people in your ward or in the groups in which you take special interest."

Regarding his council colleagues’ frustration with the lawsuit, Mattox said, "Unfortunately, this council had multiple opportunities to listen to an opposing point of view prior to a lawsuit being filed. They chose to ignore the law and ignore a fellow councilman, and consequently had to lie in the bed that they made."

Mattox intends work on getting the state government to approve the use of electric vehicles called "neighborhood cars," which cannot exceed 35 miles per hour, on municipal streets.

Joyce Michaelson, who served as deputy mayor, is content with her years in office.

"It’s been a pleasure serving the citizens of Montclair, getting to know new people, finding out their concerns, and playing a key role in helping provide better service and answering their questions," said Michaelson, who also ran for mayor in May’s election. "I’ve met people I would not have known and have had the opportunity to get a number of these people involved in public service, in town activities, and serving on our various boards. So I know I leave the town in good hands."

Michaelson is most proud of the land-use changes she was able to effectuate through her service on the municipal Planning Board, such as a demolition moratorium on all buildings at least 75 years old. She also worked closely on parking issues throughout town.

She cited as a major achievement improving communication with constituents via her frequent updates on her own Web site.

"Personally, what I’m best at is bringing people together and bringing ideas together that don’t, at first glance, seem to mesh," Michaelson said.

Her greatest challenge in office was "balancing what people want with what we can afford to provide.

"I would like people to remember me as someone who listened to their concerns, didn’t shirk the difficult issues, and I tried to find solutions to collaboration," she said.