Councilman Ezio Altamura

Ezio is a dedicated public servant and committed volunteer. He began his service in elected office on January 1, 2000 and has been re-elected eight times to Borough Council. Ezio has been recognized by our local Wood-Ridge VFW Post 3616 and their Ladies Auxiliary with their “Outstanding Citizen Award” as well as being recognized by the Girl Scouts of Bergen County with their “Community Award.” In 2012 the Wood- Ridge Memorial Foundation bestowed upon Ezio their Honoree award for his many years of service to the Borough of Wood-Ridge. In 2017 Ezio partnered with Our Lady of Assumption Parish and the Wood-Ridge Police Department to offer a” Blue Mass” each May dedicated to the safety of our police and all public servants. Additionally in 2017, Ezio was honored by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council with its Clean Communities Program Award” for his work to create and maintain comprehensive cleanup, enforcement, and education programs on litter for the Borough of Wood-Ridge. In 2018 the Wood-Ridge PBA Local 313 presented Ezio with a plaque in recognition of his past 18 years of service to the Police Chiefs annual golf outing for the benefit of the Body Armor Vest Fund. In addition, in 2018 the Wood-Ridge High School Touchdown Club and Class of 2019 honored Ezio with their “Hero” award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the Blue Devils Community, our schools and student athletes. In 2022, Ezio was inducted in the inaugural Wood-Ridge Girls Soccer “Hall of Fame, Class of 2022” for his past ten years as a volunteer coach to the Wood-Ridge High School Girls Varsity Soccer Program. In 2023, Ezio received the “Community Leadership Award” from the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey for his support and contribution to the law enforcement community.

Ezio’s leadership has been instrumental in improving the quality of life for Wood-Ridge residents by establishing the “Keep Wood-Ridge Beautiful” program in 2000, instituting background checks for coaches and the development of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Ezio is co-founder, past President and coach of the recreation Track & Field program which was started in 2003. Ezio serves as Vice President and Trustee to the Wood- Ridge Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the educational opportunities for Wood-Ridge students. Ezio currently volunteer coaches for the Wood-Ridge High School girls varsity soccer team and serves as a Board of Director for the recreational soccer program for the past 25 years. He introduced Fall Fire Engine Rides in 2011 which is offered annually for the children of the community. In 2019 Ezio brought together the borough’s first interreligious “Christmas Gathering in Wood-Ridge”, whereby participants from our three local houses of worship assembled to meet and greet one another, sing Christmas Carols led by the church musicians and welcome in the Christmas season.

Ezio currently serves as Council Liaison to the Police Department and to the Recreation Commission, Vice-Chair of the Public information & Events Committee and Co-Chair to the Seniors and Veteran's groups. Ezio has served in the past as Council President, Finance and Insurance Vice-Chairman, Shade Tree Commissioner and Merchants’ group leader. Ezio’s volunteer positions included Coach / Manager / Board of Director / Division Coordinator / Corporate Sponsor for the Wood-Ridge Girls Softball, Little League and Biddy Basketball programs over the past thirty years. Ezio is an Associate member of the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey. Ezio is a parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption church and continues to give of his time and expertise to many organizations in town.

Ezio is a graduate of William Paterson College with a BA in Business Administration and holds the following professional designations; MEL Accredited Risk Management Consultant, Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Workers Compensation Professional (CWCP) and New Jersey Workers Compensation Professional (NJWCP). Ezio is a professional Risk Manager for municipalities and public entities throughout New Jersey. Ezio is the Founder and partner of GJEM Insurance Agency / Division of Otterstedt Agency and is the Author of many articles on the subject of insurance and risk management. Ezio is widowed and was married to Annette for 33 years with one daughter, Christina. He is currently engaged to Jaine Testa with a November, 2024 wedding planned.