LAKEHURST – The borough’s reorganization meeting was categorized by hope in the new year and featured the installation of two returning councilmen and selection of a new council president.
Steven Oglesby and Brian DiMeo were both sworn in for their newest terms on council by Borough Attorney Ian Goldman.
The Borough faced some fiscal challenges like many other Ocean County communities in 2025 but Mayor Harry Robbins told The Manchester Times after the meeting was over, that he was optimistic about 2026.
“Councilman Robert McCarthy is going after some grants working with our CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and (financial challenges) is what it is, the tax rate is going to go up of course, it never goes down. Besides that I see a prosperous new year.”
When the time came to select a council president, a position that Oglesby has held for several years, a nomination was made by Councilwoman Patricia Hodges for Councilman Jeff Emmons who is in his second year of his first term on the council this year. DiMeo seconded that motion. Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan voted no but the measure passed with DiMeo, Hodges, McCarthy, Emmons and Oglesby voting yes.
“Congratulations sir,” Mayor Robbins told Emmons.
While most of the council’s reports extended to expressions of Happy New Year, Emmons did say that multiple applications for grants for recreation in the town were being applied for. “A portion of this process is a public Q&A session. If you have a moment during your day please go to our website and our Rec Committee page or you can come to Borough Hall as there are paper copies available. Please take a moment to review it and fill it out. It is important to the process in obtaining these grants.”
Emmons added that the survey was important to the scope of the projects if awarded.
The mayor announced the winners of the best holiday lighting contest winners. “Best mobile home goes to 5 Geneva, third place goes to 315 Cedar Street, second place is 2804 Maple and first place is 322 Cedar Street. Congratulations to those winners.”
The mayor also called up Denise Maynard from the audience to present her an award for the many photographs she takes around town and her overall service to the community.
Borough Clerk Mary Ann Capasso read off the appointments of the borough attorney, prosecutor, public defender, alternate public defender, auditor, bond counsel, hearing officer labor counsel and public agency compliance officer.
Mayor Robbins read the list of council committee assignments for the new year: Finance/Administration Committee: Dugan (chair) and McCarthy; Personnel Committee: Oglesby (chair) and Emmons; Public Works Committee: Councilwoman Patricia Hodges (chair) and Dugan; Public Safety Committee: McCarthy (chair) and Emmons; Buildings & Grounds Rolling Stock Committee: Emmons (chair) and DiMeo; Youth and Recreation: DiMeo (chair) and Emmons; Ordinance Committee: Oglesby (chair) and Dugan. Hodges will oversee the Shade Tree Committee and serve as council liaison to the Board of Education. Emmons will serve as the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst liaison.
There were no questions posed by the public during the public comment period. Refreshments were enjoyed afterwards with council members, professional staff and residents enjoying food and conversation.
