New Mayor Elected In Chatham Township: Reports

CHATHAM, NJ — Tayfun Selen was elected the new mayor of Chatham Township Thursday night in a 3-2 vote, after Curt Ritter announced he would not seek a fourth term.

Selen was first elected to the committee in 2017 to finish an unexpired term through 2019, Chatham Courier reported. The Republican earned supporting votes from Michael Kelly and Tracy Ness. Outgoing mayor Ritter and Karen Swartz voted no.

A Turkish immigrant, Selen described his election as the "American dream," TapInto reported.

Kelly was elected as deputy mayor, after declining Ritter's nomination for mayor.

In the township form of government, a mayor is not directly elected. Voters elect the township committee comprising three or five members in staggered, three-year terms. The township committee elects the mayor, or chairman, for a one-year term. The mayor serves as chair of the township committee and has powers vested in the mayor's office by general law.

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