Toms River Council Selects New President

Councilman Al Manforti is sworn in as council president, Jan. 3, 2017. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Toms River’s governing body will have a new leader for 2017.

Councilman Al Manforti was unanimously voted council president during the council’s reorganization meeting Tuesday night.

“I look forward to continuing with the same, decisive leadership this year,” said Manforti. “I thought long and hard this week as to what my objectives for the year would be.”

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Those objectives, Manforti said, include working to “achieve common goals for the good of the town,” including completing the township’s master plan and seeing the long-awaited beach replenishment project through. Manforti also pledged to work diligently with Mayor Thomas Kelaher, Township Clerk J. Mark Mutter and his fellow elected officials.

“A team that supports and respects each other cannot fail,” he said.

The council will also have a new vice president this year, who will chair meetings in the event Manforti is not available. Councilman Kevin Geoghegan, who last year won his first full term on council after being appointed to fill a vacancy in Ward 2, was chosen by his fellow council members. Geoghegan will also serve as the council’s representative on the planning board.

Councilman Kevin Geoghegan is sworn in as council vice president, Jan. 3, 2017. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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“I know he always has the best interest of our town at heart,” Manforti said of Geoghegan, who likewise pledged to work in concert with both elected officials and township employees on a range of initiatives for the coming year. Geoghegan also pledged to be available to residents.

“Whatever you need, we’re here to help,” Geoghegan said. “It’s an honor to serve up here as part of this team.”

Both Manforti and Geoghegan were sworn into their positions by state Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (R-Ocean).