New Mayor, Deputy Mayor Named In Barnegat For 2026

BARNEGAT, NJ — Pasquale "Pat" Pipi will serve as Barnegat's mayor and newly sworn-in Committeeman Fred Rubenstein as deputy mayor for 2026.

The two were unanimously nominated and sworn in for the roles at the Barnegat Township Committee reorganization meeting on Jan. 1.

Barnegat operates under the township form of municipal government, where a member of the Township Committee is selected to serve as mayor each year.

Rubenstein, who has served on the zoning board for years, expressed his pride in both being a Barnegat resident and an American.

"We are Barnegat. Get in our way, and we'll steamroll you," Rubenstein said. "Because we are Barnegat, and we are Americans."

Pipi is in his eighth year on the committee. He said he would work towards the betterment of Barnegat for all.

"To the residents of Barnegat, north, south, east and west side, my pledge is the same as it was seven years ago," Pipi said. "That is to represent all the people of Barnegat."