WEST MILFORD Antoinette Battaglia came to America on vacation some 20 years ago and stayed after being offered a job in Hyde Park, N.Y. in an exclusive country club. “I was offered a position on the spot while I was visiting there,” said Battaglia. “Thankfully my employers dealt with all the necessary immigration details and I was allowed to stay.” Most recently, her career has brought her to West Milford as the new township clerk. As with anyone moving into a job, Battaglia is finding her way around her new surroundings. She replaced Kevin Byrnes who held the township clerk’s position for over thirty years. Battaglia is enjoying her time in West Milford, “People have been so friendly since I got here. So many have just dropped in to say hello and welcome me. It’s been like a movie, everyone is so warm and fuzzy. I hope it stays that way.” Battaglia took over the clerk’s position just before the end of 2005 after the Byrnes retired at the end of September. While her name is one hundred percent Italian, Battaglia hails from the Emerald Isle of Ireland having been raised just 30 miles north of Dublin. Battaglia attended college in Dublin and followed that with studies at Rutgers University, where she was certified as a township clerk. Battaglia worked as the deputy clerk in Stanhope for a year before taking the borough clerk’s job. The move to West Milford has seen Battaglia take on a role in a township significantly larger than her previous post. But that hasn’t presented any problems for her. “The town of Stanhope is only two square miles, so it’s much smaller than West Milford but it was still a busy town. I’ve found so far that both places are equally busy and challenging but in distinctly different ways.” She enjoys going back to Ireland to visit with family, but she likes going back for another reason -- she is an avid Rugby fan. “I used to love going to watch Ireland play rugby. I loved the games against Scotland, Wales, England, being in amongst the huge crowds and the noise.” Sadly, as Battaglia admits, seeing the occasional game on TV has proved a pale comparison to the real thing. Other subjects which popped into the conversation went from the amazement of St Patrick’s Day celebrations in America to the books of Frank McCourt to the best place to buy Irish sausages. In case you were wondering, Kearney was the answer to the question on sausages. Relaxation and fun for Battaglia often means dining out with husband Jim or staying home and letting him do the cooking. “My husband is Italian and he loves to cook. I love eating good food and find that any meal that I didn’t have to make myself always tastes best.” In her role as clerk, Battaglia serves as the secretary to the township council. She also acts as the township’s election official, as well as various other responsibilities to the town. Battaglia praised those who have helped her settle in, “The mayor has been extremely helpful to me, as has Rich Kunze [township administrator] who is always willing to answer my questions at a second’s notice.” Her only complaint? Battaglia said she really must get some pictures on her walls. Antoinette Battaglia