Freehold Township Committee Primary Election 2025: Maureen Fasano

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — This year’s Republican primary race is packed in Freehold Township with two candidates competing for one of the party’s open spots in the race for Township Committee.

Incumbent Maureen Fasano is running for the Republican Party's nomination against challenger Michael Murphy. In the Democratic primary race, no candidate petition has been filed.

Early voting for the Primary Election will run from June 3 through June 8. Primary Election Day is June 10.

Are you running for the Township Committee in Freehold Township? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Freehold Patch.

Maureen Fasano

Age: 58
Town of Residence: Freehold Township
Education: BS from LeMoyne College
Occupation: Insurance

What drove you to seek public office?
After serving a decade on the Freehold Township Parks & Recreation Commission, three years as chairman, I wanted to do more for my community. Serving as an elected official would give me that opportunity.

Freehold Township has a reputation as a family town. We have a stable tax rate and outstanding parks and recreation programs. Our police department is one of the most active in the County, and the services the town offers are a great value for what’s paid in taxes.

My goal is to continue the fine tradition of great government and make sure our taxes remain stable. I love it here and it has been a great place to grow up and raise my own family, and I want to make sure I do my part to see that it stays this way.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart is a unique combination of government experience and deep-rooted community involvement.

I’ve worked within the structures of local government, understanding how to navigate policy and deliver results, while also volunteering extensively and building strong relationships with residents. This dual perspective allows me to bridge the gap between policy and people, ensuring decisions are grounded in real community needs.

My hands-on engagement reflects a long-standing commitment to service and a track record of showing up, listening, and taking meaningful action.

What do you see as the biggest issue Freehold Township is facing, and how will you resolve it?
One of the most pressing challenges facing Freehold Township — and New Jersey as a whole — is the ongoing pressure to develop land due to affordable housing mandates. Freehold Township has worked diligently to manage these requirements responsibly while preserving our community’s character.

We have taken proactive steps, including designating some affordable units as ‘forever affordable,’ allowing us to retain long-term credit for them. Historically, the Township has also limited sewer expansion as a strategic measure to prevent overdevelopment and restrict the spread of high-density, multi-family housing.

During the most recent affordable housing round, we conducted a comprehensive vacant land analysis to demonstrate to the state that Freehold Township lacked sufficient buildable land. This analysis was crucial in limiting overdevelopment. Additionally, we have stood firm against developers who have attempted to exploit affordable housing laws to circumvent our zoning ordinances and our Master Plan.

Through careful planning and legal diligence, we’ve protected the integrity of our community while still meeting our obligations to provide housing for low and moderate-income families.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
Throughout my time working in government and volunteering in our town, I’ve consistently focused on what matters to residents.

I have volunteered throughout my adult life — serving as President on PTO boards at my children’s schools, coaching for over 25 years in the Freehold Soccer League, and serving with countless charity organizations. I’ve helped resolve resident concerns by working directly with municipal staff, demonstrating my ability to advocate effectively and follow through. My involvement and service with various boards and charity organizations show my steadfast commitment to our community.

These experiences give me a deep understanding of how our local government operates, and more importantly, how it should work to serve people. They’ve prepared me to lead with transparency, listen with empathy, and act with integrity as an elected official.

If elected, what do you most hope to achieve in Freehold Township?
Since I am running for re-election, I am hoping to continue the great work that we have done in many areas.

One of the things I am most proud of is our aggressive preservation of open space in the last three years. We have targeted historically significant properties, large tracts of farmland, and worked with would-be developers to buy properties and preserve them.

I believe that quality parks and passive-use recreation space help to create the type of place that makes people want to stay. I want to continue fostering strong connections and ensuring a high quality of life.

Name one thing about Freehold Township that always makes you smile.
What matters most to me about my hometown is the sense of community and connection we share. It’s the everyday kindness, commitment, and spirit of those who call Freehold Township home that makes me smile.

My parents, Raymond and Joyce Flood, moved our family here in 1970. From an early age, my parents instilled in each of us to be civic-minded. I have always worked hard to be involved, to help, and to care for my hometown and its residents. Freehold Township is my hometown and the place I truly love the most.