LAKEHURST – The Mayor and Council were joined by some residents for a brief reorganization meeting and a nice luncheon afterwards.
The governing body covered all the necessary business in approximately 16 minutes and that included the swearing in of incumbent Republican Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan whose son held the Bible as Borough Attorney Ian M. Goldman administered the oath of office.
Following that it was time for a new face on the dais with Jeffrey Emmons who was surrounded by his wife and children as Goldman administered the oath of office for his first three-year term on the council. Emmons, who has been active with the borough fire company for years, replaced long serving Councilman James Davis who chose not to run for another term last year. Emmons and Dugan won their council seats in the general election in November.
Mayor Harry Robbins announced the winners of this year’s Christmas House Decorations Contest which included 309 Maple Street that took first place, 507 Union Avenue that took second place and 608 Willow Street that took third place. The mobile home category was won by 5 Geneva Road and the 2024 winner of best decorated business was 2 Locust Street; Dimensional Designs.
Police Chief Matthew Kline was present for the meeting and was also appointed as agent to procure surplus items from the law enforcement support office program (LESO).
Jeffrey Emmons joins his family as he takes his first oath of office as councilman during the reorganization meeting of the Lakehurst Borough Council. His oath of office was administered by Borough Attorney Ian M. Goldman. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The borough’s attorney, prosecutor, public defender, alternate public defender, auditor, bond counsel, hearing officer, labor counsel and public agency compliance officer were all appointed during the meeting.
Council President Steven Oglesby was unanimously approved to serve once more in that role. He will join Councilman Brian DiMeo on the personnel committee. Councilwoman Dugan and Councilman Robert McCarthy will oversee the finance/administration committee.
McCarthy and Emmons will serve on the public safety committee, Councilwoman Patricia Hodges and Dugan will serve on the public works committee while Emmons and DiMeo will serve on the Building and Grounds/Rolling Stock committee.
DiMeo and Hodges will oversee the youth and recreation committee. Oglesby will be the liaison to the Shade Tree Commission while Emmons will serve as the liaison to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The Ordinance Review Committee will be overseen by Oglesby and Dugan.
Mayor Robbins sits on all the committees.
Mayor Robbins noted that it was a goal of his to get younger people involved in the work of government, such as Emmons. “One of my goals has been to get some younger people to sit here at the table. I can’t talk for everybody but I’m getting older. I’m glad to see a new face up here.”
Councilwoman Dugan is starting her second term in office and also heads the Lakehurst Borough Historical Society. She wished everyone a happy new year. “The years go by quick,” she told Emmons.
She also noted the January 25 Soup R Bowl Chili Challenge which is one of two annual fundraisers held by the Historical Society. The popular event will start at 3 p.m. and will be located at the Borough Community Center on Center Street.
One familiar face not present during the meeting was that of Councilman Jim Davis who decided not to seek reelection last year. He received a plaque on behalf of the governing body during their last meeting of 2024. He served on the council for nearly 30 years.
“This is my last meeting and it has been a pleasure and an honor. I’m proud of what we have accomplished,” Davis remarked.
The Manchester Times asked Davis what he would miss from serving on council and what his most memorable time on the dais was. “The one thing I remembered the most is when we stood down Navy Lakehurst when they tried to get us to pay for taxes when we used to take services in lieu of taxes and they had a young guy, a comptroller who came after Lakehurst to get that money and I spent time traveling to Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel to meet with Congressman (Jim) Saxton and (U.S. Senator Frank) Lautenberg and we stood them down and it was taken care of.”
“I’m really never surprised when I hear how things happen in Washington because when Mr. Saxton came to our meeting and told us it was forgiven,” he added.
Lakehurst Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan takes the oath of office as her son holds the Bible, administered by Borough Attorney Ian M. Goldman. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Davis said, “I asked him for a signed document and he signed it for me and 12 items down from a bill that was actually for hog futures was an amendment and the amendment forgave Lakehurst; Long Beach, California; and Quonset Point, Rhode Island who were all in the same situation.”
“That was what I think stands out to what opened my eyes to politics and I think it was one of the things I’m most proud we did here,” Davis added.
In reading the proclamation, Oglesby noted that Davis was first elected to the governing body in 1989 and reelected to two subsequent terms in 1992 and 1995. He filled an unexpired term in 2005 and was reelected to six subsequent terms in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021. He has served 27 years as a member of the governing body.
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