LAKEHURST – Mayor Harry Robbins noted that his time as mayor is coming to an end a bit sooner than expected. He will be departing the role of mayor before the end of the year due to state pension reasons.
A staunch Republican, he served as mayor for nearly 15 years. His inspiration to become mayor was former Mayor Alton Tilton.
Robbins served as council president before becoming mayor on January 1, 2012 succeeding Timothy Borsetti during that year’s reorganization meeting. Robbins said he was a bit nervous that day as he thanked the voting residents “for this opportunity.”
In July, Robbins announced he would be stepping down and vacate his mayoral seat effective December 31 which was the intended date. He stated at the time that his departure was tied to retiring from his full-time employment under the state pension system. His term of office as mayor was to have ended on December 31, 2027.
The mayor told The Manchester Times earlier this month that this had now changed and he would be leaving earlier. His last meeting as mayor will be November 5.
Robbins began his career with the Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority in 2001. He has a combined 37 years of experience in the water/wastewater treatment industry. He came to the LTMUA from the Middletown Sewage Authority. He became the safety coordinator for the LTMUA in 2009 and Operations Manager in 2017.
During their October 1 meeting, the council confirmed that the council president will step in to fill the mayoral vacancy until the next election cycle. This year’s council president is Jeffrey Emmons. Another council president would have to be chosen and “you are also going to have an empty seat at the council table that will have to be filled,” Robbins added.
In other news about leadership positions, there was recent discussion about possibly hiring a business administrator. Emmons provided councilmembers two resumes to review for discussion at the next meeting.
Council Race Uncontested
The November 3 council race features two uncontested council seat races. Republican candidates include incumbent Councilman Robert McCarthy who received 54 primary votes and fellow GOP newcomer Hailey Rutledge who collected 56 votes. Hailey will be filling the seat of Councilwoman Patricia Hodges who chose not to run for re-election this year. No Democrat candidates filed to run in this year’s council race.
Safety Issues
Councilman Brian DiMeo noted that a number of street lights were not functioning in areas of the borough during a recent council meeting. “Let’s reach out to the (Police) chief (Matthew Kline). They get reported but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere.”
“Let’s make sure they get reported (to Jersey Central Power & Light),” Mayor Robbins added.
Councilman Steven Oglesby noted a section of the borough that he said had a “sidewalk that is elevated and is a tripping hazard.” He asked about any grants that might cover its repair.
“We don’t want anyone to trip and fall. We did not rent a grinder,” the mayor noted stating the situation would have to be addressed.
Recent resolutions passed include the authorization of participation in Educational Services Commission of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing System, participation in the Bergen County Cooperative Purchasing System, the purchase of playground equipment under the Educational Services Commission New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing System and the purchase of playground surface under the Bergen County Cooperative Purchasing System.
The Council also approved the release of a maintenance bond posted by Provco Pinegood Lakehurst LLC. for a Wawa construction project. The also approved a shared services agreement for leaf and vegetative waste composting with Ocean County.
Another shared services agreement resolution was passed for recycling center use and revenue sharing. The council also approved a Hold Harmless Agreement for snow removal.
Salary increases were approved for the Public Works Supervisor and Municipal Clerk and Manchester Township was recognized as the fire department providing fire protection services to Lakehurst Borough.
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