New Mayor, 2 New Committeemen Sworn In To Serve Chatham Borough

CHATHAM, NJ — A new Mayor will take the helm and lead Chatham Borough.

At the Monday night reorganization meeting, Carolyn Dempsey was officially sworn in as mayor. Katherine Hay was then appointed to fill the final year of Dempsey's unexpired term on the borough council.

Newly elected Borough of Chatham Council members Brian Hargrove and Justin Strickland were also sworn into new three-year terms on the all-Democratic council.

Incumbents Frank Truilo and Leonard Resto also chose not to run for re-election this year but are unanimous in wishing the new team well in their work for the Chatham Borough community.

On Monday night, Dempsey made Chatham Borough history by becoming the first woman sworn in as mayor since Barbara Hall in 1987, as well as the first female Democrat to fill the mayor's post.

"Growing up, it was very impactful for me to see women in leadership roles, including my mother, a doctor, who was the first female physician to graduate from her college and the only female who graduated in her medical school class. I hope I can provide similar inspiration to young women and to young men in our community today," Dempsey said.

In her inaugural address as mayor, Dempsey committed to listening to locals and respecting their perspectives, even if she disagreed with them.

"Our primary job on the local level is to deliver exceptional services and value for your tax dollars, but the tone we set truly matters. I hope we have been successful to date in embracing our community’s diversity and differences as strengths, not weaknesses while delivering on that primary job," Dempsey said. "As mayor, I will endeavor to continue to set a positive tone, and to welcome input and feedback from all residents, even if we can’t always agree on everything."

When discussing potential obstacles, Dempsey stated that one of the most significant challenges they face as a council is redevelopment and affordable housing.

Over the last five years, the borough has learned a lot about these concerns and realizes the importance of an open, transparent process in ensuring the best possible outcomes for residents.

Dempsey stated that, while the borough cannot and should not try to avoid its commitments, it would work hard to keep citizens informed and involved as it develops measures to satisfy the next wave of affordable housing standards, which will take effect in 2025.

Also planned in 2025 is an update to the borough's master plan, which has not been completely revised since 1995.

"A more comprehensive update of this plan will allow us to take a broad look at our community from a variety of perspectives, including traffic, open space, recreation, walkability, and the need for services, and that work – including many opportunities for public input - will start this year as well," Dempsey said.

Previously, locals have expressed worry about a lack of transparency between the administration and the community.

To address this, the borough will host departmental budget hearings as part of their regular council meetings for the first time this year, allowing the public to see how department budgets are put together and weigh in earlier in the budget process.

"I hope to meet some of you when we hold informal mayor's coffees where we'll invite various department heads to join us to discuss key community issues. I'd also like to revive the "mayor's roundtable" discussions with various community groups, including local faith leaders, to get input on our community's needs and how we can be of help," Dempsey said.

The next borough council meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Chatham Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, Chatham.