Swearing-In Ceremony, Reorganization Meeting Set In Chatham Borough

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Borough will hold its government reorganization meeting on Jan. 8.

The reorganization meeting will involve the swearing-in of Mayor-elect Carolyn Dempsey and newly elected Borough of Chatham Council members Brian Hargrove and Justin Strickland to new three-year terms on the all-Democratic council.

Thaddeus Kobylarz, the borough's current mayor, declared last year that he would not run for re-election to serve as mayor in 2024.

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.

Dempsey, who is presently serving her second term on the council, was elected with 1,734 public votes in November, according to official election results from the Morris County Clerk's office.

“Thad, Len, and Frank will be sorely missed,” said Dempsey. “However, I understand that being an elected official on behalf of the Borough requires a huge time commitment and that these great public servants have given much more than their share. All three have brought their passion and talents to their work for the Borough, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their contributions to our community.”

Hargrove has lived in the borough for 18 years and has raised three children in the Chatham School system with his wife, Judy-Ann. He also currently serves on the Borough's Joint Recreation Advisory Committee.

Strickland has been a resident of the borough for five years and is a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Strickland is a combat veteran who earned a Bronze Star for his service on the front lines in Iraq. He also worked in the Pentagon as a civilian and received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in Afghanistan.

During the annual reorganization meeting, a new council president will be selected for 2024, along with the council's committee appointments for the upcoming year.

Mayor-elect Dempsey will also provide the community with an annual update and expectations for the new year.

The reorganization meeting is set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Chatham Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, Chatham.

The meeting is open to the public and formal action is anticipated to be taken.