MANCHESTER – Mayor Joseph Hankins joined family members as he took the oath of office administered by Municipal Clerk Teri Giercyk. Councilwoman Sandy Drake was installed for her first full term a few days prior to the recent reorganization meeting.
Hankins initially won his seat on the Township Council in the December 2022 runoff election and assumed office on January 3, 2023. He is a life-long resident of Manchester, raising his family with his wife, Carol Ann in Pine Lake Park. He served as a township police officer for 25 years as a patrolman, detective, and patrol sergeant.
Hankins won a special election in November of 2025 to serve the remainder of the mayoral term, which will expire on December 31, 2026. He took over Mayor Robert Arace’s term when he resigned from that position after winning his first term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Arace was in his second year of a four-year term as mayor when he became a candidate for County Commissioner.
“I want to thank everyone for their support during the election. I look forward to working with everybody. I appreciate the department heads and the fact that they have done so much with the time that they had. There is more to do but I know there are projects we can certainly work on and everyone is willing to work. This is a great group to be the mayor of,” Hankins stated.
Drake joined the council on January 30, 2025 having previously served as a Manchester Township Police Officer. Her unexpired term ended on December 31, 2025 and her full term began on January 1.
High hopes for 2026 were expressed by the mayor, members of council and Police Chief Antonio Ellis for the new year.
The awkward moment came when nominations were made for the positions of council president and council vice president. Those positions have been held by Councilwoman Roxy Conniff and Councilman James Vaccaro since 2023.
Vaccaro nominated Conniff to be president again. Councilman Craig Wallis and Councilwoman Michele Zolezi both voted no on the motion. Councilwoman Drake, Vaccaro and Conniff voted yes, meaning that Conniff will again be council president.
“I will be voting no. I respect my colleagues in the service for this nominee but I am disappointed that there was no transparent discussion or opportunity for consideration regarding council leadership,” Zolezi noted. “I believe openness in these decisions strengthens public trust and council effectiveness and I feel the standard was not me here today.”
Councilwoman Drake nominated Vaccaro for vice council president. It was seconded by Conniff. In a repeat vote Wallis and Zolezi voted no, but the majority voted for Vaccaro. Zolezi again explained that her negative vote was “for reasons of process and transparency as previously stated.”
The council is made up entirely of Republicans.
Mayoral appointments were read into the record followed by Council President appointments being read into the record. Six ordinances were introduced that concerned fees and deposits for streets and sidewalks, the vacation of a portion of roadways within the township detailed in the overall street vacation plan for Roosevelt City, repealing a prior ordinance, amending salary ranges and positions of bargaining units and non-bargaining units and amending the township code entitled “Solid Waste.”
Those ordinances will have a second reading and public hearing during the council’s January 26 meeting.
Township professionals were hired/rehired for the year and the Township Tax Assessor was authorized as the agent to file petitions of appeal/complaints.
Council President Conniff also congratulated the mayor on his new term. “I also want to say I always give my colleagues the ability to speak their piece, I just want to remind everyone that communication works both ways. I want to thank Vice Council President Vaccaro and Councilwoman Drake for their support. I look forward to working to improve relationships in 2026 and to serve the residents of Manchester together.”
Council Vice President Vaccaro once again described the township as being “the gemstone of the Jersey Shore bar none.” He thanked those who endorsed his returning to the role of vice council president “which is a true honor which you have bestowed upon me and I cherish.”
He reported that during 2025 the governing body had accomplished “many progressive tasks for the residents of the township. I look forward to the year 2026 with excitement.”
Vaccaro also renewed his hope for the community to “attract more commercial establishments, private and franchise restaurants, a medical health care village, plus constructing a senior/youth recreation center. We must always be cognizant that we are always maintaining the rural character of Manchester Township.”
Councilwoman Drake noted the teamwork involved between “public works, recreation, the police department and I want to wish my fellow council members a healthy and happy new year.”
“I just want to thank the employees of the township. This year has been a great year for them,” Councilman Wallis stated in his report. “Most of our department heads are here tonight and they have done a great job and I also want to thank our police department for another outstanding year as always along with our First Aid.”
“I want to congratulate Mayor Hankins and Councilwoman Drake on their new elected terms. I look forward to working with the council in collaboration and togetherness on all fronts. We have wonderful township employees who do a fabulous job,” Councilwoman Zolezi remarked.
Judy Noonan, a confidential aide to Mayor Hankins brought up awareness of Senate Bill S4494/Assembly Bill A6220 which would change current law involving casinos in Atlantic City that are required to charge a $3 parking fee of which $2.50 goes to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to be used for Atlantic City projects – the remaining 50 cents currently goes into the Casino Revenue Fund to support senior and disabled programs including property tax relief, transportation, prescription assistance and other items.
Noonan warned that if this legislation is passed the entire $3 parking fee will go to the projects to rehabilitate and revitalize Atlantic City and nothing would go to the Casino Revenue Fund for senior or disabled programs. “The bill will redirect funds currently used to support seniors and the disabled to use them for Atlantic City rehab projects. That isn’t right.”
